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Karen Khachanov - Australian Open 2024, Ugo Humbert - Shanghai Masters 2023

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Paris Masters finalist asked to ‘be more respectful’ following tense handshake

Matthew Johns
Matthew Johns
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Ugo Humbert has become the first French Paris Masters singles finalist in 13 years, but his semi-final opponent Karen Khachanov was not best pleased with his on-court antics.Humbert beat former champion Karen Khachanov, 6(6)-7 6-4 6-3, to reach the first ATP Masters 1000 final of his career yesterday in Paris.
During the deciding set it was clear that Khachanov was physically struggling, having required treatment on his thigh and he actually tripped during the final game of the match. After Humbert claimed victory, to the delight of the Parisian crowd, there appeared to be a somewhat tense conversation at the net with Khachanov appearing to be frustrated at his opponent’s behaviour throughout the match. And when speaking to press after his semi-final defeat, Khachanov had some strong words to say about the French No.1, “I told him at the net to be a little more calm and respectful. (He has) No idea how to behave. I always play fair and I will congratulate him if he behaves like a normal person.” The Russian added, “Yesterday, during my semi-final against Grigor (Dimitrov), he was exhausted, did you see me jumping and screaming ‘Allez’ after every point? You can play with the crowd, I have no problem with that. You can celebrate after with the crowd. But not when you see your opponent on the ground.. okay, see you next time…”
However, Humbert has explained why he was so keen to use his packed home crowd to help spur him on, claiming that they are a ‘major asset’. “For me, it’s genuine happiness when you have 10,000 people behind me. Of course I draw upon them, because it’s a major asset,” said Humbert. “As I said from the beginning of the week, I play with my heart, I want to share this moment with them. I want to give something to them. They are here also to help me, to push me further, because today it was tough. “There were times when I was really at the borderline, physically speaking, and when I saw him cramp and the public that pushed me, I felt good all of a sudden. This is what helped me to edge through and manage to have a win.” Humbert will play in the Paris Masters final this afternoon against Alexander Zverev, as he looks to become the first French singles champion since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2008.
Inside the baseline…It has been a phenomenal week for Ugo Humbert, who has really backed up his phenomenal win over Carlos Alcaraz in the third round. As much as it is understandable that Karen Khachanov was frustrated by Humbert’s perhaps excessive celebrating, given that he was clearly hampered, it is hard to begrudge the Frenchman of that in the biggest moment in his career so far. And the crowd will likely be on another level for this afternoon’s final, as Humbert looks to move onto the brink of breaking into the top 10 for the first time.
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