Ugo Humbert was the first to qualify for the singles finals at the European Open on Saturday afternoon. The Frenchman defeated the Englishman Daniel Evans in three sets: 6-4, 6-7(7) and 4-6. The 22 year old Humbert saved four match points.
In the first set, Evans (ATP 35) went straight through Humbert’s serve in the second game of the match. The Frenchman immediately realised a rebreak. Some nice passing shots spiced up the first set. Evans, however, won the first set: 6/4.
In the second set, Humbert tried to restore the balance. The Frenchman could immediately force a break in the second set and led 0/3. Evans fought back in the set to 3/3 and forced a tiebreak. Humbert saved four match points won the exciting tiebreak with 7/9.
Humbert was launched and built up a 0-2 and 2-4 lead in the third set. At 4/5 Humbert could end the match on its own service.
Humbert (ATP 38), who last year stranded in the semi-finals of the European Open after losing against the later winner Andy Murray, is now advancing to the finals in Antwerp for the first time. He defeated Coppejans, Carreño Busta and Harris successively this year. Striking: he is the fourth Frenchman to reach the final in Antwerp, after Gasquet (winner 2016), Tsonga (winner 2017) and Monfils (finalist 2018).