#NextGenATP Jordan Star Shelbayh Advances In Metz, Humbert Beats Thiem
Shelbayh Secures Impressive Victory
Abdullah Shelbayh, the rising star from Jordan, showcased his talent at the Moselle Open in Metz on Tuesday. The 19-year-old secured his second tour-level win of the season by defeating Frenchman Hugo Gaston in a thrilling encounter. Shelbayh, who came through the qualifying rounds, displayed great resilience and skill to overcome Gaston with a scoreline of 7-6(5), 6-2.
During the match, Shelbayh saved a crucial set point on his serve in the first set, demonstrating his mental fortitude. He also broke Gaston’s serve five times, showcasing his ability to capitalize on opportunities. This victory adds to Shelbayh’s main-draw tour-level win in Banja Luka earlier this year.
Shelbayh’s recent success has propelled him up the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, climbing 29 spots to reach No. 186. In the next round, he will face the defending champion and sixth seed, Lorenzo Sonego, in what promises to be an exciting clash.
Humbert Overcomes Thiem
Ugo Humbert, the fourth-seeded Frenchman, delivered a stunning performance against former World No. 3 Dominic Thiem. In a hard-fought battle, Humbert emerged victorious with a scoreline of 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3. The home favorite showcased his powerful serve, firing 11 aces and winning an impressive 84% of his first-serve points.
Humbert’s triumph against Thiem marks his fourth tour-level quarter-final appearance since October. The 25-year-old has been in exceptional form recently, reaching the semi-finals in Basel and the quarter-finals in Shanghai and Beijing. With his sights set on clinching his first tour-level trophy of 2023, Humbert is determined to make his mark in Metz.
Fognini and Valkusz Secure Wins
Italian player Fabio Fognini celebrated his first tour-level victory since Roland Garros in May. He defeated Thiago Seyboth Wild in a closely contested match, triumphing with a scoreline of 7-6(3), 7-6(9). Fognini’s victory marks a significant milestone in his comeback journey.
In another match, Hungarian lucky loser Mate Valkusz showcased his skills by defeating Daniel Altmaier with a commanding scoreline of 6-2, 6-2. Valkusz’s impressive performance highlights his potential and determination to succeed in the tournament.