Humbert Savors His Victory Against Fritz in Basel: "I Feel I'm on the Right Track"

A finalist in Stockholm last week, Ugo Humbert eliminated Taylor Fritz in the round of 16 in Basel.

Humbert is gradually rediscovering his form. After a generally average season marked by injuries during the European clay-court tour, the Frenchman has shown that he is indeed a difficult player to move on indoor courts.

A finalist at the ATP 250 tournament in Stockholm last week, the 27-year-old player then followed up with two wins at the ATP 500 in Basel, against Sebastian Korda (6-3, 6-4) and then against a top 5 player, Taylor Fritz (6-3, 6-4). The finalist of last year's Paris-Bercy Masters 1000 thus discussed his victory over the world No. 4, whom he had never beaten before.

"I played a super solid match from start to finish. I went for it. I played my game. I think I was very good on the serve-plus-one sequence and when I had opportunities on his serve.

That allowed me to break him once per set. I was good on the important points, too. In the last game, of course he tightened up his game. But at 15-30, I went for my forehand. I took the risk; these are signs that I'm doing the right things and that I'm regaining confidence in my tennis.

I am clearer on the court. I am very happy; it's a great victory. It feels good. But I repeat it. Since Jérémy (Chardy, his coach) came back, I feel that I'm on the right track.

I am serious about everything. I train well, I do the physical work properly, I understand better what I have to do on the court," Humbert thus stated, who will face a third American player in this tournament in the person of Reilly Opelka, for L'Équipe.