Tokyo (AFP)
Ugo Humbert (28th in the world) was stopped Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics by the Russian competing under the neutral banner Karen Khachanov (25th), 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 6-3.
After having chained two matches hung in three sets the two previous days, including the last Wednesday where he had triumphed over the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, world No. 4, the 23-year-old Messin, despite a great resistance, did not succeed this time to keep up with the pace imposed by Khachanov and gave in after 2 h 32 minutes of play.
The Frenchman recognizes that physically, it was difficult.
"It was hard to find the resources at the end", from "the middle of the second set, I started cramping in the legs, a little the arm (...), I pushed my limits, I tried to give everything, not to listen to myself too much, to push myself mentally and physically ".
But opposite, Khachanov did not let go either, "he played very well, served very well" (10 aces, 65% of first balls).
"Frankly I don't have too many regrets. It's been a great week. I'm still super proud of myself, it's super positive, I had a great time on the court, even today, frankly I loved it, ”adds the one who experienced his first Games.
To arrive in quarterfinals, "it is a great pride, I am so happy to be there, to win my first matches with the jersey of the Blues, I lived fantastic moments. (...) Now I am fine. rest, go back to train and after that I am sure that the future will hold great things in store for me ", concluded Humbert.
After this elimination, there is still a representative of the French clan in the running: Jérémy Chardy (68th) faces at the end of the day the world No.4, the German Alexander Zverev to try to qualify for the last four.
For a place in the final, Khachanov will face either his compatriot Daniil Medevedev (2nd) or the Spaniard Pablo Carreno (11th), opposed in the quarter this Thursday.
© 2021 AFP