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Ugo Humbert Shatters Stefanos Tsitsipas’ Singles Medal Dreams at Tokyo Olympics 2020

Published 07/28/2021, 2:51 AM EDT

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The 2020 Tokyo Olympics kicked off in glamorous style last week with an extravagant opening ceremony. Ever since its inaugural, the mega-event has been making headlines all across the globe. So far, the tournament has delivered some of the most enthralling battles, especially in the much-anticipated tennis event. Building up to round 3, fans were sent into a frenzy following the epic encounters witnessed so far. However, the best was yet to come as French International, Ugo Humbert, took on the fan-favorite, Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Right from the first swing, both players looked absolutely lethal in attack. With barely a year’s difference between both, the odds were pretty even. However, he who got the better of his opponent would claim the final bragging rights. With not much to separate the two, it was anyone’s game right till the end. Fans waited in silence as the two young guns went blazing against each other for a place in the quarter-finals of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

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An epic fightback from Ugo Humbert

As expected, Stefanos Tsitsipas started the game in dominative style. He established his authority over the match, running riot on the court. Despite Ugo’s efforts of a fightback, Stefanos destroyed him in the first set. In doing so, Stefanos won 18 out of 22 points on his first serve and an astonishing 16 out of 18 on the second serve. Smashing 6 aces compared to his counterparts 2, Stefanos made life difficult on-court for Ugo. The scoreline at the end of the set was 6-2 in favor of the Greek. For any chance of a win, Ugo would need a miracle.

via Reuters

Stefanos started the second set in a similar fashion. However, as he looked to dominate once again, the first set loss had woken up Ugo. Fans who predicted Humbert’s resurrection were spot on, as the Frenchman looked re-energized, rejuvenated, and twice as more ready for battle.

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The 23-year-old won 40 points in the second set, forcing Tsitsipas into committing 10 errors. He won 17 out of 32 points on his first serve and scored a remarkable 14 out of 15 points on his second serve. The momentum of the game shifted to Ugo’s side as the match turned on its course. Courtesy of a relentless fightback, Ugo won the second set 7-6, taking the game to a third and final decider set. It was now or never for two young guns.

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Final countdown

Going into the decider set, it was all or nothing. However, Tsitsipas had an injury scare that delayed the third set. Undoubtedly, even as the set eventually began, the off-play mishap seemed to have thrown Tsitsipas off his guard. The Greek had lost all focus on the game as he struggled in the set. Realizing his opponent’s lack of attention in the game, Ugo took full advantage and established his dominance head-on. As the feisty rivalry continued, the match began to edge towards one side of the court.

via Reuters

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The epic battle finally had its deserving winner. Until the second set, Stefanos continued to play some of his best tennis. However, the injury scare had clearly affected Stefanos both mentally and physically. Regardless, Ugo’s fightback from his first set loss to a dominant third set win can’t be praised enough. In a test of character and spirit, Ugo Humbert won the game 2-6, 7-6, 5-2. This will surely go down as one of the best games at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics so far.

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Written by:

Melroy Fernandes

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Melroy Joseph Fernandes is a Tennis author at EssentiallySports. A Mass Media graduate, Melroy has been a content writer for the past 6 years, curating stories for several brands, starting from his own. At the age of 17, Melroy began his writing Journey with Team BIB, an event management company for everything Art and Entertainment.
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