Humbert kicks off Dubai title defence with convincing win over Lehecka

Adrien Guyot

le 25/02/2025 à 15h53

1 min to read

Dubaï Humbert Lehecka

Ugo Humbert opened his 2025 title account during the month of February. The 26-year-old Frenchman successfully defended his title from Marseille last year, winning the Open 13 Provence for the second time in a row after dominating Hamad Medjedovic in the final.

After withdrawing from Doha to rest up for the defense of his title in Dubai last year, Humbert had inherited a tricky draw in Jiri Lehecka.

The Czech is one of the form men on the ATP circuit this season. With 11 wins from 14 matches and a title in Brisbane, the 23-year-old eliminated Carlos Alcaraz in Doha last week.

It wasn't the most accessible match for Humbert to start his tournament, but he didn't flinch today.

In a first set that was more tightly contested than the score would suggest (the first set lasted three quarters of an hour), Humbert, who had more break opportunities, was eventually rewarded and needed no more to close the deal.

Very quickly, in the second set, the finalist of the last Paris-Bercy Masters 1000 continued at the same pace and broke away to lead 4-0.

Lehecka, stunned, never recovered and Humbert finally cruised to victory (6-3, 6-0 in 1h07). He will face Tallon Griekspoor, who saved three match points against Roman Safiullin (5-7, 7-6, 7-6), for a place in the quarter-finals.