ATP Antwerp: Ugo Humbert tops Alex de Minaur to join the special list

Entering the season with 19 ATP wins, Ugo Humbert has passed that number after a reliable performance in 2020. Humbert claimed the first ATP title at the beginning of the season in Auckland, followed by the semi-final in Delray Beach and the quarter-final in Hamburg, entering the top-40 at the end of September. After a tight St. Petersburg loss to Andrey Rublev last week, Humbert defeated five rivals to claim the second ATP title, becoming the sixth player of the season with multiple trophies in 2020. In the semis, Ugo fended off four match points against Daniel Evans, setting the title clash against Alex de Minaur. In the youngsters' battle, Humbert toppled de Minaur 6-1, 7-6 in an hour and 37 minutes, lifting the second title of the season, earning 250 points and becoming world no. 32. The Frenchman played better behind the second serve, fending off both break chances to mount the pressure on the Aussie and leaving him behind in the opener.

Alex stayed in touch in set number two, reaching the tie break but losing it 7-4 to hand the title to his opponent. A left-hander held at love in the first game with four booming serves, earning a break in game two after a forehand error from Alex. Ugo fended off a break point in the third game with a service winner, closing the game with another one to open a 3-0 gap. Humbert saved another break chance with a service winner in game five, converting the fourth opportunity in the marathon game six to move 5-1 in front. The Frenchman secured the opener with another powerful serve in game seven, moving a set away from the title after 38 minutes. De Minaur closed the opening game of the second set with a service winner, producing another one at 1-1 to remain in front. Humbert leveled the score at 2-2 with a volley winner before the Aussie held at love to stay ahead.

Ugo Humbert claimed the second ATP 250 title of the season after Auckland.

Following that pace, Ugo held at love with an ace, securing another comfortable hold and locking the result at 3-3, with only eight points for the returners in the opening six games. There were no troubles for the servers in games seven and eight, staying neck and neck before Alex sprayed a forehand error to face two break points at 4-4. With no room for mistakes, de Minaur saved both and held after a lucky net cord winner, forcing Ugo to serve for staying in the set. The Frenchman held with a volley winner to level the score at 5-5, with two good service games on both sides that sent them into a tie break. From 3-1 up, de Minaur lost four points in a row to find himself 5-3 down, spraying another forehand mistake to offer two match points to Humbert at 4-6. The Frenchman converted the first with a volley winner, securing the second title of the season and moving closer to the place in the top-30. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/34qIOMr