(Dubai, United Arab Emirates) Fifth seed Ugo Humbert easily defeated Andy Murray 6-2, 6-4 on Wednesday in the second round of the Dubai men’s tennis tournament.
Humbert was not faced with a single break point before converting his first match point. He thus signed his first victory against the 36-year-old veteran, who won in Dubai in 2017.
After coming from behind to oust Ontarian Denis Shapovalov 4-6, 7-6 (5) and 6-3 in the previous round, allowing him to sign his 500e career victory on cement, Murray suggested there were “only a few months” left in his professional playing career.
PHOTO AMR ALFIKY, REUTERS
Ugo Humbert
Elsewhere, second seed Andrey Rublev, who was the tournament champion in 2022, reached the quarterfinals for the fifth time in a row after eliminating Arthur Cazaux 6-4, 6-4.
Seventh seed Alexander Bublik also continued, after eliminating Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (8), 7-6 (2).
At the end of the day on Wednesday, the reigning champion, Daniil Medvedev, will meet the Italian Lorenzo Sonego.