Paris Masters: Humbert downs Khachanov, fifth French finalist since 1986

Ugo Humbert defeated Karen Khachanov 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-3 in the semi-finals of the Rolex Paris Masters. The result marks his first ever Masters 1000 final, where he will face world No 3 Alexander Zverev on Sunday.

With the crowd fully behind him, it was the Frenchman who saw two break point opportunities slip by at 2-1, before two breaks followed in consecutive games. The ‘domino’ effect continued at 4-4, where Khachanov broke, but failed to serve out the set on the first time of asking.

The first set went to a tiebreak, which featured seven mini-breaks, but the Russian ultimately overcame a hostile crowd to take the set 7-6 (6).

In the second, Humbert’s first serve percentage improved drastically, and this was shown by the ease in which he was holding when compared to the previous set. The crowd favourite broke at 2-2 and never looked back, serving out the set 6-4.

Both players played more consistent tennis to start the third set, going back to the basics and not risking as much. However, as if the match needed any more drama, after successfully serving out the game for 3-2, the 2018 champion called for the physio after tweaking something in his right thigh and received a medical timeout. From there on out, the Russian found it near impossible to move out to his right hand side.

Humbert broke in Khachanov’s next service game, before breaking once again – just as his opponent’s muscle was pushed over the edge – winning the match 6-3 in the third.

After the match, Humbert was asked about what this result means to him:

“Well, it happened because I was expecting nothing. It was tougher today. I felt less good. Everything required more tension. For me, it was a real victory, because when you don’t feel good, you don’t play well. You manage to dig deep, to clinch a victory, and there is nothing better.”

You manage to dig deep, to clinch a victory, and there is nothing better

The Frenchman on digging deep for the win

The crowd has also played its part this week, and their countryman explained how the atmosphere has helped him push through difficult moments on court:

“For me, it’s genuine happiness when you have 10,000 people behind me. Of course I draw upon them, because it’s a major asset. As I said from the beginning of the week, I play with my heart, I want to share this moment with them. I want to give something to them. They are here also to help me, to push me further, because today it was tough. There were times when I was really at the borderline, physically speaking, and when I saw him cramp and the public that pushed me, I felt good all of a sudden. This is what helped me to edge through and manage to have a win.”

I play with my heart, I want to share this moment with them

Humbert on the French crowd

He is the fifth Frenchman to make the final of the Paris Masters since 1986.

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