Humbert topples Zverev to secure place in Halle quarterfinals

Ugo Humbert has upset Alexander Zverev in the second round of the Noventi Open to leave Andrey Rublev as the only seeded player to reach the quarterfinals.

ByAssociated Press

Published Jun 17, 2021

HIGHLIGHTS: U. Humbert def. A. Zverev; Halle Open R2

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HIGHLIGHTS: Humbert eliminates third-seeded Zverev in Halle

HALLE, Germany (AP) — Ugo Humbert upset Alexander Zverev in the second round of the grass-court Halle Open on Thursday to leave Andrey Rublev as the only seeded player to reach the quarterfinals.

The third-seeded Zverev hit 20 aces but it wasn't enough as Humbert won a close match 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-3.

Zverev is a two-time runner-up in Halle but has yet to win a title on grass. Humbert is in back-to-back quarterfinals on grass after doing the same in Stuttgart last week.

It's the first time in Halle's 28-year history that seven of the eight quarterfinalists are unseeded, the ATP said. Fourth-seeded Rublev is the exception after the Russian beat Jordan Thompson on Wednesday.

U.S. player Sebastian Korda, the son of former Australian Open champion Petr Korda, beat Kei Nishikori 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 to set up a quarterfinal against Humbert. Korda won his first tour title in Parma on clay last month and is in his first tour-level grass tournament.

Nikoloz Basilashvili won against Arthur Rinderknech 6-2, 7-5 after saving two set points at 5-4 down in the second set. He will play South African Lloyd Harris, who beat qualifier Lukas Lacko 6-3, 7-6 (8).