WINNING his 13th match from 16 contests, Ugo Humbert‘s dream start to 2024 rolled on with the Frenchman defeating Alexander Bublik in straight sets to win the 2024 Dubai Tennis Championships ATP 500 title.

It was far from an easy draw, with Humbert knocking off top seed Daniil Medvedev and third seed Hubert Hurkacz, as well as star veterans Gael Monfils and Andy Murray en route to the final. Having only dropped the two sets previously – to Monfils and Hurkacz – Humbert made it much easier for himself against the seventh seeded Kazakh, winning 6-4 6-3 in an hour and 25 minutes.

Hurkacz served one more ace (nine to eight) without serving any double faults as his opponent put down six. The Frenchman’s consistency throughout the match was on show, particularly on serve where he won 73 and 65 per cent of his first and second serve points, and saved both break point opportunities. When he had his chances, the seventh seed broke twice from six chances, enough to get a break and each set and serve out the win.

The title win incredibly marked his sixth ATP Tour title from as many finals, running at a 100 per cent efficiency. It was also his second title in 2024 after Marseille.

“I played a fantastic level during the whole week. Today was not easy… I really don’t know, but I have a good statistic,” Humbert said post-match. “I have a really good team around me.”

Having never played each other before, Humbert hit 26 winners for only five unforced errors, that little level above Bublik (20 winners, nine unforced errors), using his forehand to full advantage. With an array of weapons and talent at his disposal, the Frenchman is finally applying that talent consistently in games and earning reward from it.

“He is not easy to play against. He had some opportunities to break me, but I was really calm and knew exactly what I had to do,” Humbert said.

The ATP 500 title meant Humbert, surpassed his current career-high of 18th and leapfrogged four more players to go to 14th in the world. Bublik also moved up, becoming a Top 20 player for the first time in his career with a rise to 19th.