AUCKLAND, January 18, 2020
Ugo Humbert has clinched his maiden title on the ATP Tour by winning the ASB Classic in Auckland. The 21-year-old emerged victorious from the all-French-final on Saturday against No. 5 seed Benoit Paire 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-6(5).
Humbert won eight points less than his opponent but secured victory in two hours and 34 minutes.
FIRST-TIME CHAMPION 💥@HumbertUgo beats Benoit Paire in a thriller in Auckland 7-6 3-6 7-6.#ASBClassic pic.twitter.com/s6jh0BYjcU
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 18, 2020
”It’s a tournament of revenge because I’ve lost to four of the five players I played this week,” Humbert joked. “It’s a great improvement for me and I couldn’t dream of a better beginning for the season.”
The Metz native became the first Frenchman to take the title at this ATP 250 event. He ousted Casper Ruud from Norway, Italy’s Marco Cecchinato, second-seeded Canadian Denis Shapovalov and fourth-seeded John Isner from the United States en route to the championship match.
“I don’t know if I realise what I did today, but I’m extremely happy about my first ATP Tour title,” Humbert said. “It was tough and emotional. It’s been a lot of work, a lot of improvement in the pre-season and the months before with my coach.”
Following six triumphs on the ATP Challenger Tour, Humbert lifted his maiden trophy on the ATP Tour and took away from New Zealand $91,625 in prize money as well as 250 ATP Ranking points.
“I want to congratulate Ugo on winning his first title on Tour, but not the last, for sure,” said Paire, who earned $50,710 and 150 ATP Ranking points. “I enjoyed this week a lot. Even this final was something special. I lost, but everything is fine. [Ugo] played some good points. Everyone was having fun and enjoying the match, so that’s the most important thing.”
Bambridge/Mc Lachlan take first team title
Earlier in the day, Luke Bambridge from Great Britain and Ben McLachlan of Japan took the doubles title. The unseeded duo defeated local favourite Marcus Daniell and Philipp Oswald from Austria 7-6(3), 6-3. The final lasted one hour and 22 minutes.
“It means a lot to win this tournament. I grew up watching this tournament and was a ball kid here,” said McLachlan, a New Zealand native who represents Japan. “To be able to do this in front of my parents, my brother and friends is awesome.”
Bambridge added:“I was thrilled, win or lose, that we went out and really attacked it, put our game style out on the court and implemented exactly what we wanted to do in every single match. I think that’s the reason why we got over the line.”
