Humbert appears in Alcaraz’s path at Wimbledon | ATP Tour

Wimbledon

Humbert appears in Alcaraz’s path at Wimbledon

The Frenchman will seek to break his ceiling in Grand Slam

July 06, 2024

Ugo Humbert appears on Carlos Alcaraz’s horizon in the fourth round of Wimbledon. The Frenchman placed himself on Friday among the top 16 in the grass-court Grand Slam after defeating Brandon Nakashima 7-6(9), 6-3, 6-7(5), 7-6(6) in a match that rain forced to be split in half between Friday and Saturday.

The Frenchman put in a real display of endurance, connecting 25 aces to get a taste of victory with his serve intact. Humbert, who has barely given up a service game in his last two matches, went through a perfect test of fire before facing the reigning champion of the tournament. If the Spaniard will demand the greatest possible precision with the first shot, Ugo is more than prepared to face the challenge.

Humbert has now equalled his best ever performance at a Grand Slam tournament, having reached the last 16 on the grass of the All England Club five years ago. In the 2019 edition, only Novak Djokovic was able to stop him in London. The Frenchman, who also took former finalist Nick Kyrgios to the fifth set in 2021, has already put together high-octane matches before experiencing a first-hand duel with the current holder of the cup.

In addition, Humbert will represent a good challenge for Alcaraz to adapt to on the grass of the All England Club. The Frenchman has a particularity before the clash in London: he is the only Top 20 player in the PIF ATP Rankings that the Spaniard has never faced on the circuit, a factor that will multiply the need for attention in the Murcian. With a remarkable ability to compete on the mid-court and making volleys a big argument in his repertoire, the Frenchman will be the obstacle to overcome with the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam as his destination. A high-flying match with the British capital as witness.

The Frenchman, champion of Halle in 2021 and twice present in the second week of Wimbledon, has earned a good deal of respect on grass with his performances on the circuit. With 25 matches won on the surface, Ugo will try to use his experience to contain the winning spirit of the reigning champion of the tournament.

At 26, Humbert is currently in the prime of his career as the No. 1 in French tennis. The Metz-born player has won two titles in the 2024 season (Marseille, Dubai), reaching a career-high ranking of No. 13 in the world last April. His progress on the grass of Wimbledon has allowed him, for the moment, to regain a place in the Top 15 of the PIF ATP Live Rankings.