Tsitsipas dethroned and exiled from the Top 40 after eight years, Humbert qualifies
Ugo Humbert defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 7-5 on Tuesday evening and will play the winner of the match between Russian Andrey Rublev, the No 5 seed, and Frenchman Valentin Royer in the next round
Stefanos Tsitsipas, 2026 | © Imago / PsNewz
Defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas saw his reign in the desert end in a flash of French brilliance, as Ugo Humbert secured a clinical 6-4, 7-5 victory to send the Greek star tumbling out of the world’s Top 40 for the first time since 2018.
The defeat marks a historic low for the former world No. 3. By failing to defend the 500 points from his 2025 title, Tsitsipas will plummet to approximately world No. 42, ending an extraordinary eight-year streak inside the game’s elite upper tier.
In a match where the intensity was high but the rallies were short, Humbert’s serve proved to be an impenetrable shield. The Frenchman landed 75% of his first serves and won 77% of points behind them, neutralizing Tsitsipas’s attempts to find a rhythm.
Humbert has effectively become the Greek’s “kryptonite,” now leading their head-to-head series 4-1. Despite Tsitsipas showing flashes of his vintage forehand, he was broken at the tail end of both sets—crucial lapses that defined the match. For Humbert, having Jérémy Chardy back in his box after the Rotterdam interlude seemed to provide the tactical clarity needed to dismantle the defending champion.
The Greek’s “rebuilding” phase now faces its steepest climb yet. Unseeded and searching for answers, he exits the tournament just as Humbert moves into the last 16, where a daunting clash against Andrey Rublev. For the Dubai crowd, the “Lion of Athens” has lost his roar, and his place at the high table of the ATP rankings.
aTP 500, Dubai, 1st round
F. Auger-Aliassime (1) – Z. Zhang (PR): 6-3, 7-6[4]
G. Mpetshi Perricard (Q) – M. Echargui (WC): 7-6[3], 6-7[3], 7-6[4]
P. Carreno Busta (Q) – D. Shapovalov: 6-2, 6-4
J. Lehecka (8) – L. Nardi (LL): 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
D. Medvedev (3) – J. Shang (PR): 6-1, 6-3
S. Wawrinka (WC) – B. Hassan (WC): 7-5, 6-3
J. Brooksby – Z. Bergs: 6-3, 6-4
K. Khachanov (7) – A. Shevchenko (LL): 6-7[5], 6-2, 6-2
A. Rublev (5) – V. Royer: 6-3, 6-4
U. Humbert – S. Tsitsipas: 6-4, 7-5
A. Rinderknech – F. Marozsan: 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
J. Draper (4) – Q. Halys (Q): 7-6[4], 6-3
J. Mensik (6) – H. Hurkacz: 6-4, 7-6[7]
A. Popyrin – K. Majchrzak: 2-6, 6-3, 7-5
T. Griekspoor – O. Virtanen (Q): 6-3, 6-4
A. Bublik (2) – J. Struff (LL): 6-3, 6-4
ATP 500, Dubai, Round of 16
F. Auger-Aliassime (1) – G. Mpetshi Perricard (Q): Wednesday (to be played)
P. Carreno Busta (Q) – J. Lehecka (8): Wednesday (to be played)
D. Medvedev (3) – S. Wawrinka (WC): Wednesday (to be played)
J. Brooksby – K. Khachanov (7): Wednesday (to be played)
A. Rublev (5) – U. Humbert: Wednesday (to be played)
A. Rinderknech – J. Draper (4): Wednesday (to be played)
J. Mensik (6) – A. Popyrin: Wednesday (to be played)
T. Griekspoor – A. Bublik (2): Wednesday (to be played)
