French No. 1 Powers Through in Epic Show of Grit, Leaving Alcaraz’s Indoor Struggles Exposed
Paris witnessed a thrilling upset at the 2024 Paris Masters as Ugo Humbert, France’s top-ranked player, pulled off an electrifying victory over world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz. In front of a roaring home crowd, Humbert, currently world No. 18, claimed his biggest career win, toppling the Spanish prodigy in a tense three-set duel: 6-1, 3-6, 7-5.
Setting the tone early, Humbert charged to an explosive 5-0 lead within the first 18 minutes. Alcaraz, renowned for his resilience, fought back in the second set, grabbing the only break to take a 4-2 advantage and force a deciding set. But Humbert had the final say, snatching the victory on his second match point with Alcaraz serving to stay alive at 5-6. Humbert’s victory marks his 13th win against a top 10 player and his second over a world No. 2, adding to his impressive career record of 13-16 against the ATP elite.
Reflecting on his first win over Alcaraz, Humbert beamed in his post-match interview, “It’s the biggest win of my career,” he said to Tennis TV. With his fearless play, the 26-year-old has now captivated fans as the top French hope for the tournament’s closing stages.
For Alcaraz, this loss reinforces his ongoing struggles on indoor hard courts. Despite his success across clay, grass, and outdoor hard courts, the 21-year-old Spaniard has yet to reach a final on the indoor circuit. Alcaraz’s record at the Paris Masters now stands at a modest 5-4, with exits before the quarterfinals in three of his four appearances in Paris Bercy.
With a draw that seemed ripe for his taking—due to the absence of formidable opponents Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic—Alcaraz still couldn’t capitalize. The top-seeded Sinner withdrew due to illness, while Djokovic, ranked No. 4, opted out last week. Even after No. 4 seed Daniil Medvedev’s early exit on Wednesday, the path appeared clear for Alcaraz, only for the Spanish star to falter once again indoors.
Following his defeat, Alcaraz will refocus as he prepares for the ATP Finals in Turin from November 10-17. As he seeks his first indoor title, Alcaraz’s Paris setback only adds to the pressure in his pursuit of a comprehensive court legacy.
Meanwhile, Humbert’s victory sparked conversations around the Frenchman’s visibility in his home tournament. “I think I’m playing great. I’m really proud of myself for the whole year,” he said, though he voiced frustration at being relegated to Court 1 while other French players took the main stage. “At some point, it should be different, it should be better,” he remarked on the importance of the local spotlight.
Humbert’s surge has injected new life into French tennis at the Paris Masters, while Alcaraz’s struggles expose the demanding versatility needed to conquer indoor courts.
