Humbert Powers Past O'Connell to Reach Rotterdam Semifinals

Ugo Humbert Secures First Semifinal Spot at ATP 500 Rotterdam with Dominant Win Over O'Connell

le 13/02/2026 à 13h53

2 min to read

In the first quarterfinal of the day at the ATP 500 in Rotterdam, Ugo Humbert aimed for a spot in the semifinals of the Dutch tournament. Facing the Frenchman was Christopher O’Connell.

The world No. 119, who came through qualifying, has had a strong week with wins against Sachko, Gaston, Royer, and Norrie to reach the quarterfinals.

On his side, Humbert, always a threat indoors, had eliminated Daniil Medvedev and Den Ouden for his first two victories in Rotterdam, in his fourth appearance. Riding that momentum, the Metz native was very solid in this match.

After a start where both players held serve comfortably, the world No. 36 was clinical. He converted his second break point at 5-4 in his favor, taking the first set.

Humbert Awaits De Minaur or van de Zandschulp in Semifinals

Stunned, O’Connell did not recover. In a one-sided second set, Humbert ran away with it. Without conceding a single break point in the match, he logically won in two sets (6-4, 6-1 in 1h16).

The 27-year-old player thus qualifies for his second semifinal of the season, having played (and lost) the final of the Adelaide tournament against Tomas Machac at the very start of the season.

To reach the final, Humbert will face the winner of the duel between Alex De Minaur and Botic van de Zandschulp. The Frenchman has a positive record against the latter in head-to-head meetings.

While he is not in a position of strength against De Minaur (5 wins to 2 in favor of the Australian), he has never lost to the Dutchman in five encounters, and asserts himself as a real nemesis for the player who beat Stefanos Tsitsipas this Thursday.

Sources

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