Germany's Alexander Zverev defeated Hugo Humbert 6-2, 6-2 in just 76 minutes in the final of the Rolex Paris Masters, defying the Frenchman's expectations on his home turf.
Third-seeded Zverev produced 15 winners and nine unforced errors, while Humbert had 12 and 25 respectively.
Zverev also won 91 percent of his points on first serve and 79 percent on second serve, winning his seventh ATP Masters 1000 title. He lost just five points on serve and never faced a break.
“Today I knew I had to play like this to win,” said Zverev, who picked up his 23rd career win at the ATP Tour Finals. “Hugo is a great player, but here in Paris he was playing even better than usual and we knew that. If the crowd gets involved, it will be difficult. So we need to get rid of it early, I actually did that, so I'm happy about that.
“Ever since I broke my ankle in all parts after Roland Garros two years ago, there was no 100 percent guarantee that I would be able to return to this level. So winning this title here in Paris was a great feeling for me. It means the world and I'm sure it means everything to the guys in my box because they've done a lot for me.”
He also won ATP Masters titles in Rome (twice), Madrid (twice), Cincinnati, and Montreal.
Humbert became the first French player to reach the Paris final at the Accor Arena in Paris since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2011. He accomplished that by defeating Russia's Karen Khachanov in a grueling three-set semifinal on Saturday.
“Even though we lost today, it was a great week,” Humbert said. “My feeling is that I gave it my all, and I have no regrets.
“He was stronger than me in every aspect of tennis. He didn't recover enough from yesterday's match, but congratulations.”
Humbert moves up to No. 14 in the ATP Rankings.
“It was incredible to have my family and team together all week. Moments like this are why I do this and train every day.”
With this win, Zverev becomes the second seed for the Nitto ATP Finals, which begin on November 10th.
mauser open
Eighth seed Alex Michelsen defeated Frenchman Harold Maillot 6-3, 6-1 in the first round in Metz, France.
Mikkelsen, a 20-year-old from Southern California, had seven aces and saved all nine break points.
However, the Corentin Motet delighted the home fans. He advanced to the second round after India's Sumit Nagal retired in the second set. At this point, Motet was leading 7-5, 4-0.
belgrade open
Hamad Medjedović completed a spectacular come-from-behind victory in his homeland, defeating sixth seed Brandon Nakashima 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 in the first round in the Serbian capital.
Medjedovic hit a total of 16 aces in the third set and saved two of his two break points. Nakajima, who hit 14 aces without a double fault, won the eighth game of the third set and saved a match point en route to closing the gap to 5-3, but Medjedovic won the next game.
In Sunday's other opener, Hungary's Fabian Marozzan also had a big breakthrough, defeating China's Junchen Xiang 2-6, 7-6 (5), 7-5.
–Field level media
