ATP Montpellier: David Goffin and Ugo Humbert survive. Jannik Sinner bows out

After the Australian Open, the 5th seed Jannik Sinner suffered an early exit in Montpellier as well, losing 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 to Aljaz Bedene in two hours and 38 minutes. Bedene fired 14 aces and got broken once, keeping the pressure on Sinner since set number two and sealing the deal in the decider's closing stages for the place in the second round. Sinner suffered a back injury in the tie break, hoping it is nothing serious ahead of the next week's ATP 500 event in Rotterdam. The youngster served well in the opening set and scored a break at 2-1 to control the result and win it 6-3. Bedene took charge in set number two, standing strong in his games and earning breaks in games four and eight to force a decider. Jannik squandered his return opportunities in the final set's first half, and they stayed neck and neck until the tie break that Aljaz won 7-3 thanks to five mini-breaks. Ugo Humbert saved three match points in a thrilling 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 triumph over Tallon Griekspoor in two hours and 49 minutes!

Tallon led 7-6, 5-2 and wasted those match points in the second set's ninth game, staying composed after that and still finishing on the losing side. There were no breaks in the opening set, and Grieksppor claimed the breaker 7-4 for an early advantage. The Dutch player forged a massive advantage with a break in the second set's sixth game and held at love in the next one to move a game away from the triumph. Serving at 5-3, Tallon squandered those three match points and allowed Humbert to break back and prolong the action.

David Goffin and Ugo Humbert have stayed on the title course in Montpellier.

The French player claimed the tie break 7-5 to force a decider, where they stayed neck and neck until the tie break. From 2-0 down, Humbert claimed seven of the next ten points to cross the finish line first and advance into the next round. The 7th seed Lorenzo Sonego defeated Sebastian Korda 6-3, 6-2 in 74 minutes, never losing serve and delivering three breaks to control the pace against the youngster and remain on the title course. The 2nd seed David Goffin had to work hard to beat Benjamin Bonzi 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, facing incredible 19 break points against world no. 125 and prevailing with a late break in a decider.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3suJTMH