-AUCKLAND
World no. 57 Ugo Humbert stunned the second seed of the tournament Denis Shapovalov in straight sets 7-5 6-4 to advance to the semifinals of the ASB Classic. After the match, Humbert, 21, “I just stayed focus throughout the match… Also the best win of my career so far.”
Shapovalov was no doubt disappointed with his performance after being one of the heavy favorites to win the title. “Honestly, I just couldn’t convert on some key points,” said the Canadian
“I had chances in the first set, chances in the second set–if I do get those breaks then it’s a whole different match. So it’s a little bit unlucky but credit to him, he did a really good job.”
Humbert wasn’t the only Frenchman who advanced to the semifinals. Benoit Paire defeated John Millman, but needed three sets to advance, 3-6 6-1 6-4.
“I feel very happy. And I was a little bit nervous at the beginning because I know John is a very tough opponent,” Paire said.
After losing the first set, Paire was visibly frustrated not being able to perform at the level he wanted to and received a warning for breaking his racquet.
“The first set when I broke my racquet I was not feeling well. I was a little bit nervous, in my mind it was not easy,” Paire added.
“So I said, ‘okay, throw your racquet’, but after that come back and play full because I was pushing the ball 50 percent in the middle of the court.”
“The first set was tough, [I was] not feeling the ball like yesterday but after that, I felt good.”
Semifinals day tomorrow at the ASB Classic The first semifinal will be John Isner playing Ugo Humbert, and the second semifinal will be between Hubert Hurkacz and Benoit Paire.
Results at a glance
John Isner d. Kyle Edmund 7-6 7-6
Ugo Humbert d. Denis Shapovalov 7-5 6-4
Benoit Paire d. John Millman 3-6 6-1 6-4
Hubert Hurkacz d. Feliciano Lopez 6-4 6-7 6-4
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
