Home favorite Ugo Humbert came from behind to book a place against German Alexander Zverev in the final of the 2024 Paris Masters.
Humbert, the French number one, beat Karen Khachanov 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 6-3 after Zverev produced a superb performance to beat world number 13 Holger Rune, 6-3 7-6 (7- 4).
Humbert dropped serve twice in the opening set. However, the world number 18 immediately responded by breaking his serve, before finally the Russian, Khachanov, won the set via a tie-break.
Khachanov, the world number 21, forced one break point in the second set and was unable to take it as Humbert recovered his first serve and used powerful groundstrokes to take control, hitting 13 winners to level the match.
The 26-year-old carried that approach into the deciding set and was even more dominant, breaking serve twice on his way to victory.
Earlier, sustained pressure from the baseline helped Zverev grab an early break to take a 3-1 lead, but the German had to work harder in the fifth game before hitting some big serves to seal the win.
The Roland Garros runner-up, 27, broke through a late double fault to close out the opening set with 11 winners at a packed Palais Omnisports in Bercy.
A tighter second set ensued as Rune stepped up the attack with serve and volley, but Zverev took control in the tie-break with a 3-0 lead and held his nerve to claim his 65th career win of the season. (BBC/Z-2)
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**Interview with Tennis Analyst Jane Smith on Zverev’s Paris Masters Triumph**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Jane! It’s great to have you here to discuss Alexander Zverev’s recent victory at the Paris Masters. What were your impressions of his performance in the final against Ugo Humbert?
**Jane Smith:** Thanks for having me! Zverev played exceptionally well. He showcased his powerful serve and aggressive play style, which really put pressure on Humbert from the start. Winning in straight sets speaks volumes about his dominance that day.
**Interviewer:** Humbert is a home favorite and had the crowd behind him. How do you think that impacted the match?
**Jane Smith:** It certainly added an interesting dynamic. The crowd was incredibly supportive of Humbert, especially after his comeback in the previous rounds. However, Zverev managed to stay composed and executed his game plan effectively, which is commendable under such pressure.
**Interviewer:** This victory marks Zverev’s first Paris Masters title. How significant is this win for his career moving forward?
**Jane Smith:** It’s a major milestone for Zverev. Winning a tournament of this caliber can boost a player’s confidence significantly. It also shows that he can perform at a high level on big stages, which is crucial as he sets his sights on the upcoming ATP Finals and beyond.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what can we expect from Zverev in the future tournaments this season?
**Jane Smith:** If he maintains this level of performance, he could be a formidable contender in any tournament. His win in Paris could propel him to greater success in the ATP Finals and potentially set the stage for a strong showing in the Grand Slams next year.
**Interviewer:** Great insights, Jane! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Zverev’s impressive victory.
**Jane Smith:** My pleasure! I’m excited to see how he builds on this success.
