Djokovic Rallies Past Humbert in Basel
Novak Djokovic loses the first set to Ugo Humbert, then breaks once in each of the last two and plays Jan-Lennard Struff next
Ugo Humbert took the first set, and Novak Djokovic broke once in each of the last two sets to win 4–6, 6–3, 6–4 in the first round. The win kept alive his bid to qualify for the ATP Finals.
Djokovic, 39 and seeded fourth on a wild card, was playing in Basel for the first time since 2011. He won the title on his debut in 2009 and came to Switzerland after winning in Beijing this month.
It was his 20th tour-level win this year, the 21st straight season he has reached that mark. He plays Jan-Lennard Struff in the second round.
Holger Rune saved a match point and beat 10th seed Hubert Hurkacz 3–6, 6–3, 7–6(6) to reach the quarterfinals. Nuno Borges beat ninth seed Casper Ruud 1–6, 6–3, 6–4, and sixth seed Taylor Fritz beat Rinky Hijikata 6–4, 7–6(3).
Novak Djokovic beat Ugo Humbert 4–6, 6–3, 6–4 in the first round of the Swiss Indoors Basel, his first match at the event since 2011, and kept alive his bid to qualify for the ATP Finals.
Djokovic, 39 and seeded fourth on a wild card, won the Basel title on his debut in 2009. He came to Switzerland after winning in Beijing this month.
Humbert took the first set, and Djokovic broke once in each of the last two sets.
The win was his 20th at tour level this year, the 21st straight season he has reached that mark.
"It was a super tight match, very intense from the beginning," Djokovic said. "He was striking the ball beautifully, being super aggressive, taking the time away from me. I was under attack from the very first point. I had to weather the storm, but I managed to find my rhythm at the beginning of the second set."
He plays Jan-Lennard Struff next.
Elsewhere in Basel, Holger Rune saved a match point and beat 10th seed Hubert Hurkacz 3–6, 6–3, 7–6(6) to reach the quarterfinals. Nuno Borges beat ninth seed Casper Ruud 1–6, 6–3, 6–4, and sixth seed Taylor Fritz beat Rinky Hijikata 6–4, 7–6(3).