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Archive photo · 4 August 2024Novak Djokovic Beats Ugo Humbert in Basel Return, Keeps ATP Finals Bid Alive
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Djokovic beat Humbert 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in Basel opener. The comeback preserves Djokovic's chances of reaching the ATP Finals in Turin.
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Djokovic returns, wins
Novak Djokovic beat Ugo Humbert 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in his first appearance in Basel for 15 years, after the Serb overcame the Frenchman in a match that lasted two and a half hours. Djokovic said, "I was under attack from the very first point and had to weather the storm," as he celebrated what he viewed as a "big win" on his return to Swiss Indoors Basel. Djokovic’s comeback kept him 11th in the race to Turin for the ATP Finals, where only the year’s top eight performers qualify.
Djokovic also maintained his ATP Finals bid after winning the China Open in Beijing earlier this month, his 102nd title of his career. Djokovic’s win ensured he remains in the hunt for a record 19th appearance at the ATP Finals, with the BBC noting he had not played at the event since 2011.
Quotes and match details
Djokovic described the match as intense from the start, saying, "I was under attack from the very first point" as he explained how he found his rhythm after the first set. Djokovic told the BBC, "It's my first indoor match, so I expected to be a little bit rusty in a tough draw," and he added that "a win is a win" as he took the result. Djokovic twice saved break points to escape an immediate setback in the second, and Djokovic broke Humbert’s serve for the first time in the following game to kickstart his fightback.
Djokovic saved five of the six break points he faced and converted two of eight on Humbert’s serve, breaking once in each of the last two sets. Djokovic reached the last 16 of the Swiss Indoors Basel and faces Jan-Lennard Struff next.
Turin stakes and next round
Djokovic’s Basel opener came with the ATP Finals qualification race in focus, because the BBC said he was 319 points behind Spain's Rafael Jodar, who occupied the final qualification spot. Djokovic’s win kept him in the hunt for a record 19th appearance at the ATP Finals, while only the year’s top eight performers qualify. Citizen Digital said only the top eight players qualify for the November 15-22 showpiece, and it added that Jannik Sinner had already pulled out due to a knee problem.
Djokovic would take on Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff in the next round in Basel, and Djokovic holds an 8-0 record against Struff. Djokovic was ninth in the Live Race to Turin with 2,890 points, leaving Djokovic 294 points behind Rafael Jódar with Jannik Sinner out for the rest of the season.