Ugo Humbert Stuns Frustrated Daniil Medvedev in Rotterdam Opener Upset

French tennis star Ugo Humbert pulled off a significant upset at the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam on Monday, defeating former champion and world No. 11 Daniil Medvedev 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-3 in a thrilling first-round encounter. The world No. 36 displayed remarkable resilience over two hours and 21 minutes to secure his fourth victory against the Russian from five career meetings.

The match unfolded as a compelling battle of contrasting styles and temperaments, with Humbert's left-handed game causing persistent problems for Medvedev throughout the evening. The opening set went the distance, with neither player able to break serve, ultimately requiring a tiebreak to separate them. Humbert held his nerve to claim the breaker 7-4, drawing first blood in what would become an increasingly tense affair at the Rotterdam indoor arena.

Medvedev, known for his mental fortitude and problem-solving abilities on court, responded emphatically in the second set. The Russian found his rhythm and broke Humbert's serve to claim the set 6-3, leveling the match and appearing to have seized momentum. However, the decisive third set would prove to be dominated not just by tennis but by Medvedev's growing frustration with the playing conditions and his own performance against yet another left-hander.

The turning point came at 4-2 in the final set during a crucial service game for Humbert. Medvedev earned two break points that could have shifted the momentum decisively in his favor, but the Frenchman saved both with gutsy play. Immediately following this hold, a visibly furious Medvedev smashed his racquet on the Rotterdam court in a display of frustration that summed up his evening. Humbert would not face another break point in the match, saving all six break opportunities in the deciding set.

This victory continues Medvedev's troubling pattern against left-handed opponents, having also fallen to American southpaw Learner Tien at the Australian Open earlier this season. The Russian's struggles against lefties have become a talking point on tour, with their natural angles and spin patterns appearing to disrupt his typically metronomic baseline game. For Humbert, the win represents a perfect response to his devastating loss to Adrian Mannarino in Montpellier and reinvigorates his 2026 season.

Humbert's progression to the second round of the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam means he will face another challenging opponent as he seeks to build on this statement victory. The Frenchman's ability to maintain composure under pressure, particularly when saving those critical break points in the third set, suggests he could be a dangerous floater in this tournament. Meanwhile, Medvedev must return to the practice court to address his tactical vulnerabilities against left-handers before they become a more significant impediment to his championship ambitions.