Humbert fights his way to Japan Open final
Ugo Humbert defeated Tomas Machac 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 on Monday. He’ll face the winner of the match between Frenchman Arthur Fils and Dane Holger Rune, the No 6 seed, for the title
Frenchman Ugo Humbert moved into the final of the Japan Open by winning against Tomas Machac 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 at the Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo on Monday.
Humbert needed eight aces and 39 winners to beat Machac in the semi-final fight that lasted for an hour, 47 minutes.
The world No 19’s level suffered a little in the second set, where Machac converted a break point to draw level but the former fought back in the third to become the first finalist in Tokyo.
This is Humbert’s third final of the 2024 season. He won his first against Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in Marseille in February. In March, the Frenchman made the Dubai Open Tennis Championships title clash and defeated Kazakshtan’s Alexander Bublik to clinch the title.
Humbert, ranked No 19, will face the winner of the match between Frenchman Arthur Fils and Dane Holger Rune, the No 6 seed, next.
The Frenchman beat Japanese wildcard Shintaro Mochizuki (6-1, 6-2), American Brandon Nakashima (6-3, 6-2) and Jack Draper (7-5, 2-1 ret.) ahead of his victory.
Earlier in the tournament, Machac, ranked No 34, defeated Australian Alexei Popyrin (6-3, 6-7 (5), 7-5), American Tommy Paul, the No 5 seed (2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4)) and American qualifier Alex Michelsen (7-6 (2), 6-3).
Tokyo ATP 500, other semi-final result (Ariake Colosseum, hard, USD 1.818.380):
- Arthur Fils vs. Holger Rune