Ugo Humbert’s first serve masterclass propels him to Rotterdam semifinals
Ugo Humbert defeated Christopher O’Connell 6-4, 6-1 on Friday afternoon and will face the winner of the match between Australian Alex De Minaur, the top seed, and Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in the next round
Ugo Humbert, Rotterdam 2026 | © Proshots / PsNewz
Ugo Humbert has officially rediscovered his clinical indoor form, sweeping aside Christopher O’Connell 6-4, 6-1 on Friday to storm into the semi-finals of the ABN Amro Open. For the world number 36, this dominant run in Rotterdam (ATP 500) serves as a vital turning point, ensuring that the heavy clouds of frustration from his recent early exit in Montpellier against Mannarino are now firmly forgotten.
The Frenchman produced one of the most statistically perfect serving displays of the season against O’Connell. Humbert was virtually untouchable on his delivery, winning a staggering 25 out of 26 points behind his first serve. This 96% success rate left the Australian world number 119 with no room to breathe, as the match was wrapped up in just over an hour.
It was a performance that mirrored the high level Humbert showed earlier this year when he reached the final in Adelaide, proving that his early-season momentum is very much intact.
Beyond the immediate goal of a title in Rotterdam, Humbert is playing with a clear strategic objective: returning to the top 32 in the ATP rankings. He is desperate to secure a seed for the upcoming Grand Slams to avoid the “luck of the draw” nightmare he experienced at the Australian Open last month.
In Melbourne, an unseeded Humbert was forced to face world number 9 Ben Shelton in the first round, resulting in a premature exit. By stringing together wins against the likes of Daniil Medvedev and O’Connell this week, he is rapidly closing the gap on that seeding threshold.
Humbert’s path to the final four has been remarkable, highlighted by his upset of the fourth-seeded Medvedev and a professional win over local wildcard Guy Den Ouden. He now awaits the winner of the clash between top seed Alex De Minaur and Botic van de Zandschulp. With his Montpellier struggles in the rearview mirror, a confident Humbert is now just two wins away from a second final in 2026.
