Humbert races past Kokkinakis in UTS Grand Final opener

The Commander was too hot to handle as he made the perfect start to his title bid in London

UTS

December 6, 2024

Ugo Humbert – The Commander – produced a near-flawless performance as he routed Thanasi Kokkinakis 16-7, 15-9, 15-12 in the opening Group A match of UTS London by Builder.ai on Friday.

The Frenchman returned brilliantly and won all three of his bonus cards, never allowing Kokkinakis into the match and gaining revenge for his defeat by the Aussie from UTS Frankfurt.

“I was really calm today, I was very focused until the end,” Humbert said. “It was my goal to qualify for London, I love this city, I love to play here, it was great emotions. Super-happy with this first victory.”

Humbert streaks away in first quarter

Kokkinakis led 7-5 in the first quarter after a cagey opening, the two men getting used to the medium-paced court. But Humbert then hit a winning streak, racing to a 9-7 lead, and then, after winning the point when Kokkinakis used his bonus card, extended the streak to nine as he finish the quarter in style, with a flashing forehand volley.

Having trailed two sets to love to Humbert in Frankfurt before turning it around and winning in sudden death, Kokkinakis joked that he “had him right where he wants him” but admitted he needed to get his serve going.

Humbert jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second quarter, the left-hander flashing another series of winners but Kokki held his concentration and worked his way back into the match.

At 6-4, the Aussie slammed down a big serve but Humbert was on to it in a flash, slapping a forehand winner. At 8-5 to the Frenchman, Kokkinakis used his bonus card and this time, he took advantage, two big forehands giving him the point and levelling the scores.

But Humbert still had his bonus card to use and at 10-9, he won it to go up 13-9, finishing off the quarter with a stunning backhand return to make it 15-9.

The third quarter was close throughout as Kokkinakis won his bonus card to lead 10-8 but two more amazing returns from Humbert pulled him level and with 30 seconds to go, he won his bonus card again to lead 13-11.

Kokkinakis had a tiny chance to get back in it but Humbert was too strong and closed it out 15-12.

“He didn’t give me much of a chance out there tonight, he played great,” Kokkinakis said. “I made a little bit of a push there in the third but he won his three-pointer and that stopped me. He played well.”