The 25-year-old Ugo Humbert notched his fifth ATP title at home in Marseille, ousting the 2nd seed Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-3 in an hour and 23 minutes. A left-hander played a flawless match, never getting broken and stealing the better-ranked player’s serve once in each set en route to his fifth ATP trophy from as many finals. Thus, Humbert became the eighth player in the Open era with a perfect score in the first five ATP title matches, the first since Carlos Alcaraz. Also, Ugo is the seventh French winner in Marseille, the first in seven years. Humbert added 250 ATP points to his tally, achieving a career-high score and passing Adrian Mannarino as the French no. 1 for the first time.
Grigor Dimitrov & Ugo Humbert, Marseille 2024© Stream screenshot
The home star kept everything under control behind the initial shot, facing two break points at the beginning of the second set and defending them to keep the pressure on the other side. Grigor failed to clinch his second title of the season after Brisbane, struggling behind the second serve and experiencing two breaks. The encounter kicked off with nine comfortable holds in 29 minutes. Humbert moved 2-1 in front with a serve & volley combo before Dimitrov grabbed the fourth game at love with a booming serve. A left-hander produced another fine hold in game seven and repeated that at 4-4, keeping the pressure on the other side. Grigor squandered game points in game ten, which would cost him dearly.
Ugo Humbert claimed his fifth ATP title in Marseille.
Ugo extended the game and landed a backhand crosscourt for the second set point. Dimitrov netted a routine forehand, losing serve and allowing Humbert to wrap up the opener 6-4 in 40 minutes. The home player played his only loose service game at the beginning of the second set. He denied the first break point with a powerful serve, and Dimitrov squandered the second with a wayward forehand, creating no more opportunities by the end of the clash. The Bulgarian paid the price already in the second game, netting a backhand and finding himself a set and a break down. Ugo held in game three to cement the lead and moved 4-1 up with a service winner in game five.
Grigor Dimitrov, Marseille 2024© Stream screenshot
The Frenchman produced another hold at love in game seven, opening a 5-2 advantage and moving closer to the finish line. Dimitrov served to stay in the match in game eight, holding at love and having one more chance to prolong the battle. Instead, Ugo created two match points on serve in game nine with a forehand crosscourt winner. He converted the second with a booming serve, adding the fifth ATP title to his name and remaining perfect in the ATP finals.
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