Herbert Beats Cazaux In Metz For First Tour-Level Win In More Than 20 Months

Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert won his first tour-level singles match in more than 20 months on Sunday when he defeated his #NextGenATP countryman Arthur Cazaux 7-6(7), 6-4 in the first round of the Moselle Open.

Herbert, who is competing in Metz for the first time since 2019, had not won a tour-level singles match since February 2022 in Marseille. He will next play second seed Alex de Minaur.

“It was a tough match today against a very good opponent. He had an amazing year, so I knew I had to play a great match to be able to win,” Herbert said in his on-court interview. “For me, this win is quite special because I've not been playing this tournament for almost [four] years.

“I’ve had some difficult times so really, really happy. And being able to share that moment with this box is just amazing.”

World No. 372 Herbert, who has climbed as high as No. 36 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, saved the two break points he faced and won 79 per cent of his first-serve points to advance after one hour and 53 minutes.

Another Frenchman moved on when Gregoire Barrere defeated seventh seed Yannick Hanfmann 7-6(5), 6-4.

The home favourite saved six of the seven break points he faced and converted the two break points he earned to reach the second round. Barrere will next play countryman Harold Mayot or Japan's Yosuke Watanuki.