The weeks follow one another and look alike for Ugo Humbert, who seems to seriously mark the step after his excellent start to the season. And two weeks after leaving Miami Masters 1,000 from the start (defeat in two sets against the Brazilian nugget Joao Fonseca), the Messin again took the door from his first match. The third confrontation between the two men has indeed turned to the advantage of Alexei Popyrin, winner in three sets (3-6, 7-6, 6-4) of the French, who had nevertheless started the meeting better.
A defeat all the more regrettable for the number 20 in the world classification, beyond having been overthrown by the Australian when he had taken the first controls by winning the first round, that he constantly gave the feeling of having his hand on this part and to hold the key. The only risk that Humbert was running was to relaunch his opponent, moreover in real lack of confidence at the start of the season (only two games won in 2025 before Tuesday).
This is unfortunately what he did by losing his own foot in the decisive game of the second round, won 7 points to 2 by the 27th world, which did not ask for a health. The two players, as had been the case in the second set, nevertheless continued to go blow for blow and this duel then seemed to be able to lean again on one side as on the other before Popyrin, who had let go of his first eight break balls in this part, finally converts one, while the score was 4-4.
Humbert played this match with a fracture in the right hand!
And this ninth break ball turned out to be decisive for the Australian, who then confirmed his solidity on his players, not without the quarter finalist of the last edition managing to delay the deadline by saving two match balls. The bad languages will say that Humbert could hardly hope for another spell given the state in which he disputed this meeting. The winner of the Metz tournament last February appeared on the court with a fracture with the little right hand which forced him to wear an imposing strap (and to use three fingers only to launch his ball in the service). The left -hander (fortunately) who had decided not to compete for the double he had to play with Lorenzo Sonego, precisely not to hypothequate his chances in simple or take the risk of injuring himself more, did not seem embarrassed, especially in the service, one of his strong blows. He can nevertheless regret this injury that he made by … blocking his hand in his t-shirt, according to Eurosport. This new entry defeat should hurt him even more.
