The French team will not see the sun set in November in Andalusia. On Friday evening, the clear defeat of Ugo Humbert against Carlos Alcaraz in two sets (6-3, 6-3) sealed the elimination of the Blues in a competition that is not successful for them.
It’s a tough fight, but nothing new. Since the start of the renovation of the Davis Cup and the implementation of this new format in 2019, France has never reached the Final 8, similar to the quarterfinals, although it was the final in 2018, the last year in the “historical. ” format.
Four breaks in Humbert’s final game
Despite the start of “boxing” in the game and the offensive game, the number 1 of France has no great regrets. Carried by a good quality hit and a big shot like a back cross while going through the end of the tournament that gave him the first ball, “Carlitos” did not tremble and put his tennis well, after the American summer that missed out of the second round at the US Open against Botic Van De Zandschulp. “I needed this week with the team. I think this is one of my best games of the year. “he warned on the way out.
Bold and full of good will in the match, but he made three forehand errors in the first set break, Humbert can regret not hanging the cart from the heart in the first set, when he got two. 4-3 break or in the final game of the match, where he recovered four break points, including three in a row. In vain.
By the end of the first round, Alcaraz’s control and dominance was increasing. The Spaniard was sharp, keen on his movements and took the ball early on the return. At 3-2, Humbert was under pressure and the Frenchman faced a second challenge in the fourth set.
The third game is without a tie against the Czech Republic
However, Messin did not stop fighting. He fought until the end, thus giving himself four break points, including three in a row, in the game of Alcaraz! And it took some Dantesque defending from the Spaniard for France’s fourth chance, and a back-to-back strike to take away the final joy of the game.
On Saturday, France captain Paul-Henri Mathieu’s team will face the Czech Republic in a tie-breaker, between two previously eliminated Group B teams. For Spain and Australia, on the other hand, the journey will continue in the beautiful days of autumn, at the end of November, in Andalusia (from the 19th to the 24th).