Rotterdam fans witnessed one of the tournament’s first big moments as Ugo Humbert defeated Daniil Medvedev after an intense three-set battle, packed with momentum swings, long rallies, and constant tension on Centre Court.
First set: Fine margins and a decisive tie-break
The opening set was shaped by the quality of serving from both players, with neither giving much away in the early games and break chances extremely limited.
Medvedev’s lone break opportunity came in the seventh game, but he could not convert, and with no breaks, the set naturally went to a tie-break.
In the key moments, Humbert was slightly sharper, playing more aggressively and taking control of the crucial exchanges to win the tie-break 7–4 and move one set ahead.
Second set: Medvedev responds
Humbert started the second set on the front foot and created two early break points, but he failed to take either—an important turning point in the match.
Medvedev raised his level, stepped inside the baseline more often, and secured an early break to lead 2–0 before managing the set with a strong service performance.
Humbert did not earn a break point in the set, and Medvedev closed it out 6–3 to swing the momentum back his way.
Deciding set: Humbert holds his nerve
Between the second and third sets, Humbert requested a medical time-out and briefly left the court before returning ready to fight.
Medvedev then had a huge chance to take control, earning three consecutive break points at 0–40 on Humbert’s serve in the third game, but Humbert saved them all to hold.
That missed opportunity proved costly: Humbert broke soon after to move ahead 3–1, and when Medvedev later created another 0–40 on return, Humbert again resisted.
Humbert stayed composed, served out the match, and sealed a memorable 7–6(4), 3–6, 6–3 victory.
Stats underline the intensity
Medvedev hit more aces (6 to 4) but struggled more on serve with 9 double faults compared to Humbert’s 2.
Humbert finished with more winners (21 to 17), while Medvedev committed 42 unforced errors—slightly more than Humbert’s 39—making the difference in the biggest moments.
For a full overview of all first-round matches in Rotterdam, see the complete first-round draw: