Ugo Humbert claimed his sixth ATP title in Dubai following a 6-4, 6-3 triumph over Alexander Bublik. Ugo remained perfect in the ATP finals, standing as the third player in the Open era with a win in the opening six ATP finals, joining Ernests Gulbis and Martin Klizan on the exclusive list. Humbert notched his second ATP 500 title after Halle three years ago, earning enough points to crack the top-15. Humbert and Bublik defeated last year’s finalists a day ago, with the Frenchman having the upper hand. Ugo fired nine aces, serving at 73% and taking charge on serve and return. Ugo denied both break points he faced, keeping the pressure on Alexander. The Kazakh could not endure it, dropping 40% of the points in his games and getting broken once in each set, settling for the runner-up prize.
Alexander Bublik, Dubai 2024© Christopher Pike / Stringer – Getty Images Sport
Humbert clinched 13 points more, building the advantage in the shortest and more advanced rallies to seal the deal in style. They hit the same number of service winners, and the Frenchman tamed his strokes more efficiently with 27 winners and 20 unforced errors. Ugo fired two powerful serves in the first game of the encounter for a hold at 30. Alexander responded with a powerful serve in game two and produced a hold at love with a forehand winner two games later for 2-2. Bublik earned a break chance in the fifth game after an entertaining point, and Humbert denied it with a service winner. A left-hander landed another powerful serve, holding and moving 3-2 ahead.
Ugo Humbert defeated Alexander Bublik in the Dubai final.
The Kazakh faced two break points in the sixth game, saving them with winners and cracking a bullet from his forehand for a hold and 3-3. Ugo closed the seventh game with a smash winner at the net and created a break point in the next one after Alexander’s double fault. Humbert missed a routine backhand, and Bublik landed an unreturned serve for 4-4 and more drama. Ugo painted a backhand down the line winner in the ninth game, holding at 15 and pushing strong on the return in the next one. Alexander faced a set point after a double fault and saved it with a powerful forehand down the line winner. The Frenchman created the second set point with a crafty lob and seized it after the Kazakh’s crazy-fast second serve and a double fault for 6-4 in 47 minutes.
Ugo Humbert, Dubai 2024© Christopher Pike / Stringer – Getty Images Sport
Humbert served well at the beginning of the second set and extended the fourth game before earning a break chance. Ugo defended superbly and welcomed Alexander’s volley error for a break point. Bublik netted a routine forehand, losing serve and sealing his fate in this match. A left-hander cemented the advantage with an ace in game five, moving 4-1 up and closer to the finish line. Humbert served well in the seventh game, bringing it home at love with a forehand winner and forcing Bublik to serve to stay in the match. Alexander grabbed the ninth game with a volley winner, reducing the deficit and creating a break chance in the next one after Ugo’s massive forehand error. The Frenchman denied it with a backhand down the line winner and squandered the first match point when his forehand landed long. Humbert earned the second match point with a service winner and converted it with a forehand winner, celebrating his sixth ATP title from as many finals.
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