Paris (AFP)

Ugo Humbert, passed very close to his first Masters 1000 semi-final, by securing two match points against Milos Raonic at Paris-Bercy on Friday, put an end to his season, "happy just to think" of the next one.

Humbert (22, 34th) confirmed his steady progress by winning his first two trophies in 2020, in Auckland in January and in Antwerp at the end of October.

Q: What is your assessment of this tournament?

A: "I was really not far from making my first semi-final in Masters 1000. It's hard to find the words. I had four good matches, I still produced a good level of play, but there are still points to be settled to win this kind of match, which is really played on a few points. When I'm hot, I'm disappointed. Afterwards, I'm going to rest, rethink everything that has happened: for two , three weeks, I feel that I am making progress. I am still happy, I made good matches against good players, I feel that I have the level, but to pass another milestone, there is still things to improve. "

Q: On your first match point, you lose a rally of thirty strokes ...

A: "There was better to do, I have to go more on this point. I did not go there enough, I have to do more at the net. He (Raonic) saw that I had not made it to 5-1 (in the decisive tie-break, editor's note), I finished on a cushioned, I get rid of the ball a little. This is where I have regrets: I should have gone a little more to the net. "

Q: What areas of progress do you identify?

A: "In recent weeks, I feel that I have progressed in my attitude, and that I manage to develop a more aggressive tennis. But in my last two matches, I have to come a little more to the net, to chain a little more my shots. From the bottom, I hit good shots, I hit hard, but as I never put pressure and I do not chain (at the net), my opponents know that I will not go up and calmly put back. can improve in return too. And physically, I can be a little more explosive. I unsubscribed from Sofia (next week, editor's note), I'm going to rest and take the time to prepare myself well for next season. makes you happy just to think about it! "

Interview at a press conference.

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