Metz Open: Home favourite Humbert tops Thiem, moves into last eight

Frenchman Ugo Humbert, the No 4 seed, won against Austrian Dominic Thiem 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-3 to reach the last eight of the Metz Open at Arènes de Metz on Tuesday evening.

“Tricky,” Humbert said. “It was not easy. A lot of intensity. I’m very proud because it was not easy, I was cramping, it was very tough physically.”

Humbert, ranked No 23, will play qualifier Harold Mayot next. He is playing in his hometown event.

“For sure, it’s my hometown, so I would like to play he well, I hope I have a great week in front of my crowd,” he said.

Humbert improves to 2-4 lifetime at Metz, after entering the event 1 win in his first four appearances. He reaches his fourth quarter-final since October began.

In the previous round of the Metz tournament, Thiem, ranked No 95, defeated French lucky loser Matteo Martineau (6-4, 6-2).

Metz ATP250, other second-round results (Arènes de Metz, EUR 562.815, most recent results first):

• Abdullah Shelbayh vs. Lorenzo Sonego
• Stan Wawrinka vs. Luca Van Assche
• Alexander Bublik vs. Fabio Fognini
• Pierre-Hugues Herbert vs. Alex De Minaur
• Mate Valkusz vs. Alexander Shevchenko
• Constant Lestienne vs. Karen Khachanov
• Harold Mayot beat Gregoire Barrere: 7-6 (2), 2-6, 7-6 (5)