Ugo Humbert dispatches Alexander Bublik for Dubai title

Field Level Media|published: Sat 2nd March, 15:46 2024

Aug 29, 2023; Flushing, NY, USA; Ugo Humbert of France wins a game in the first set against Matteo Berrettini of Italy on day two of the 2023 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. credits: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports

France's Ugo Humbert improved to 6-0 in ATP Tour-level title matches in defeating Alexander Bublik 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Fifth seed Humbert was in control against Kazakhstan's Bublik, the seventh seed who led 9-0 in double faults and 9-5 in unforced errors. Humbert saved both break points and had more aces (9-8) and winners (25-20).

Humbert also won the ATP 500 grass-court event in Halle in 2021 among his six career tour titles. With Saturday's victory, he will rise to a career-high No. 14 in the ATP rankings on Monday and be the first Frenchman in the Top 15 since Gael Monfils in May 2021.

Bublik will make his Top 20 debut at No. 19 in the new rankings.

—Field Level Media