Hometown Humbert Wins Metz Title, Earns Top 20 Debut

An emotional Ugo Humbert claimed his first ATP Tour title since 2021 on Saturday by winning his hometown tournament at the Moselle Open. The Metz native defeated Alexander Shevchenko 6-3, 6-3 to cap a memorable week on home soil and improve to 4-0 in tour-level singles finals.

"It was my dream when I was young to win this tournament," Humbert said post-match. "It's just amazing. I have a lot of feelings now, I can't describe it. It's so incredible to win here in my hometown in front of my family. To finish strong like this, it's just an amazing feeling."

Pure emotions 🫶@HumbertUgo | @MoselleOpen | #MoselleOpen pic.twitter.com/7q7DvqpPIS

— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 11, 2023

The result will see Humbert finish the season at a career-high No. 20 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings and as the year-end French No. 1 for the first time. He edged past Sofia champion Adrian Mannarino for both honours by claiming the Metz crown just an hour after the veteran's triumph in Bulgaria.

"So great for French tennis, so good!" Humbert said when he learned of Mannarino's success. The Metz champion will become the first Frenchman inside the Top 20 of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings since Gael Monfils in August 2022.

In a dominant and aggressive final performance, Humbert saved the only break point he faced to consolidate a late break in the second set. In the ensuing game, he clinched the trophy with his third break of the 67-minute match. The fourth seed was particularly dominant on first serve, winning 86 per cent (25/29) of points, and on second-serve return, winning 57 per cent (12/21) of exchanges. 

"I tried to play my game. I tried to put the pressure on every point," the Frenchman said of his front-foot approach in his first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Shevchenko. "It was not easy. I knew that the key was to stay really present and I did it. When I had the opportunities, I tried to go for it and I did it. I'm super proud."

Humbert's previous three ATP titles came in 2020 (Auckland, Antwerp) and 2021 (Halle).

Shevchenko was bidding to become the seventh first-time ATP Tour champion this season. Despite the defeat, his run to his first tour-level final will earn him a Top 50 debut.