Antwerp (Belgium) (AFP)
Two finals in 2020 and two successes: the French Ugo Humbert, 38th in the world, won the ATP 250 tournament in Antwerp on Sunday, beating the Australian Alex de Minaur (N.29), 6-1, 7- 6 (7/4).
The 22-year-old Messin thus won the second title of his career, after his coronation in Auckland in January.
"It is one of my best victories. I am very happy to win my second title of the year against a great player," said the young French hope after his victory.
On Monday, Humbert will reach 32nd place in the world, his best ranking to date, he who was still in 57th position at the start of the year.
And will become the French N.3 behind Gaël Monfils (11th) and Benoît Paire (28th).
This success, which crowns a solid year 2020, should allow him to arrive in full confidence at the Masters 1000 in Paris in just over a week.
After an early elimination at Roland Garros, the left-hander tricolor displayed a much better form on hard in Belgium.
Already a semi-finalist last year in Antwerp, he notably offered himself a major victory in the second round this week by beating Pablo Carreno Busta, 15th in the world and recent semi-finalist at the US Open.
Humbert, however, almost never saw the final: he had to save no less than four match points on Saturday in the semi-final against the Briton Daniel Evans (N.35), finally defeated after more than 3h10 of match.
But Sunday, no fear.
After largely dominating the first set, concluded in 37 minutes, the Lorrainer was able to withstand the pressure put by the Australian in the second round, to win in a decisive game, however poorly started.
"In the tie-break, I tried to play point by point, I stayed very focused, and that's what allowed me to win. I'm really very proud of myself", explained Humbert .
"Tennis can be a really crazy sport at times! Yesterday it was great to win over Evans, saving four match points, and today I'm not sure what happened: we had both played at a good level, it was a really great game, ”he concluded.
© 2020 AFP