A sense of disappointment lingered over the Paris Masters final, where German star Alexander Zverev quickly took control against France’s Ugo Humbert.
Although Humbert kept pace in the opening games, he was soon outmatched, with Zverev dominating the court and securing a 6-2, 6-2 victory in just an hour and 15 minutes.
This decisive win marks Zverev’s 23rd career title and his seventh Masters 1000 trophy, tying him with Michael Chang in eighth place on the all-time list. Zverev’s victory also propels him to world number two, surpassing Carlos Alcaraz.
The Paris final was a milestone for both players. Zverev, already a seasoned player in high-stakes matches, brought a significant edge in experience, holding six Masters 1000 titles and five additional finals appearances, including one in Paris. Humbert, meanwhile, became the hometown hero that French fans had long awaited, channeling their energy as he looked to become the first French champion since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s 2008 victory.
As the French crowd cheered Humbert on, he managed to hold his own initially, showing impressive intensity. But despite a promising start, he was unable to rattle Zverev’s unyielding focus and precision.
Zverev’s performance was notably dominant. Humbert’s high-energy play and attempts to disrupt his opponent’s rhythm fell short against Zverev’s consistent accuracy in both serving and returning. Zverev opened a substantial lead as the minutes passed, with Humbert struggling to keep up.
Although Humbert showcased his talent with several impressive shots, his struggles with consistency and fatigue allowed Zverev to steadily build momentum, leaving little room for a comeback. While Humbert found some stability on his serve in the later stages, the damage was done, and Zverev claimed his first Paris-Bercy title.
The significance of this win was not lost on Zverev, who acknowledged the sacrifices required to reach this point. “To be back at this level, my entire team had to make sacrifices. Nothing was guaranteed after my ankle injury at Roland Garros two years ago. Winning here in Paris means the world to me and everyone on my team,” Zverev shared after the match. With 66 season wins, Zverev now leads the circuit, just one ahead of Jannik Sinner.
Humbert’s journey to the final was historic in its own right. At 26 and ranked 18th, he became the first French finalist at the Paris Masters since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s 2011 appearance, a feat that showcased his potential and grit on a big stage. Yet, the drought for French players at home continues, with Tsonga still standing as the last French Masters 1000 champion since his 2014 Toronto victory.
Looking forward, Zverev has established himself as a top contender for the ATP Finals in Turin, which will run from November 10 to 17. Leading the race ahead of Sinner and Alcaraz, Zverev is now the player to watch, with Novak Djokovic’s potential participation adding an extra layer of suspense to the year’s final ATP showpiece.
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