Humbert Ends Winless Streak With Adelaide Triumph

Ugo Humbert, the talented French left-hander, finally broke through for his first win of the 2026 tennis season, defeating compatriot Terence Atmane in straight sets in the opening round of the Adelaide International. The match, played on Monday, January 12, 2026, at SHOWCOURT 1, saw Humbert, ranked No. 36 in the world, overcome a spirited challenge from the 62nd-ranked Atmane to prevail 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).

Coming into this contest, there was plenty of intrigue surrounding Humbert’s form. He’d suffered a disappointing early exit in Brisbane just a week prior, falling to Cameron Norrie in a tight three-setter, 1-6, 7-6 (6), 7-5. That loss left him searching for answers and, crucially, his first victory of the new campaign. Atmane, meanwhile, had also endured a tough start to the year, losing in the qualification final at Brisbane to James Duckworth, 7-6 (4), 6-2. Both Frenchmen were hungry to turn the page in Adelaide and ignite their seasons.

The head-to-head between these two was a blank slate—this marked their first career meeting on the main tour. But if there were nerves, Humbert didn’t show them early. He started with intent, breaking Atmane’s serve in the fourth game to seize the initiative. His own serve remained solid throughout the set, and though Atmane fought hard, Humbert eventually clinched the opener 6-3, converting on his fourth set point. The Metz native’s ability to hold firm under pressure would prove critical as the match wore on.

Atmane, for his part, didn’t wilt. In fact, he came out swinging in the second set, ramping up his aggression and immediately putting Humbert under the cosh. Atmane earned a break point in the first game and three more in the third, showing just how much he wanted to flip the script. The 22-year-old from Boulogne-Billancourt even carved out three set points on Humbert’s serve. But Humbert, displaying the kind of composure that’s become his trademark, fended off every challenge. The set eventually headed to a tiebreak, where Humbert’s experience shone through. He raced to a 7-3 victory in the breaker, sealing the match in straight sets and letting out a visible sigh of relief as he advanced to the next round.

“It feels great to get that first win of the season,” Humbert said after the match, his focus already shifting to the challenges ahead. “Terence played really well, especially in the second set. I had to fight for every point, and I’m happy with how I handled the pressure.”

The win was not just about moving forward in the draw—it was a much-needed confidence boost for a player with high expectations. Humbert’s record on hard courts over the past year has been impressive: 17 wins against 11 losses, with one title to his name. He’s won 82.1% of his service games on the surface and converted nearly 40% of his break-point chances. Those are numbers that speak to his quality, especially when he’s in rhythm.

Atmane, though disappointed, can take heart from his performance. The young Frenchman has compiled a respectable 13-13 record on hard courts over the past 12 months, winning 74.1% of his service games and breaking serve at a 30.8% clip. He’s proven he can hang with higher-ranked players, and his aggressive approach on Monday nearly paid dividends. “I had my chances in the second set,” Atmane acknowledged. “I just couldn’t quite finish it when I needed to. But I’ll keep working and learning.”

For Humbert, the road doesn’t get any easier. His next opponent is Tallon Griekspoor, a dangerous Dutchman known for his powerful serve and relentless baseline play. Griekspoor, currently ranked inside the ATP top 30, has been making waves on the tour and will present a stern test. Humbert, though, will take confidence from the way he navigated the tense moments against Atmane. The Frenchman’s overall career record now stands at 367 wins to 238 losses, with a particularly strong 150-85 mark on hard courts. He’s shown time and again that he can adapt and rise to the occasion.

Pre-match odds had Humbert as a clear favorite, with bookmakers giving him a 75% chance to win (-300 odds) compared to Atmane’s +225. The prediction from Tennis Tonic was also in Humbert’s favor, with the expectation that he’d secure the victory in two sets—a forecast that played out exactly as anticipated. Yet, anyone watching could see that the margin for error was slim, especially in that tense second set.

Both players came into Adelaide looking to shake off Brisbane disappointments. Humbert’s loss to Norrie in the Round of 32 at the Brisbane International had left him 0-1 for the season, while Atmane’s qualification defeat to Duckworth meant he was 1-1. Monday’s clash was a chance to reset, and for Humbert, it was a return to the form that had seen him win 25 matches in 2025 and 39 in 2024. Atmane, for his part, has been steadily climbing the rankings, with a career record of 239-155 and a solid 188-101 tally on hard courts. His progression suggests that bigger wins may not be far off.

This first-round battle was just one of several intriguing matchups in the Adelaide International draw, which also features the likes of Damir Dzumhur, Brandon Nakashima, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Sebastian Korda, and Reilly Opelka. For French tennis fans, all eyes will now turn to Humbert’s next test against Griekspoor, as he aims to build momentum and make a deep run in the tournament.

As the action heats up in Adelaide, Humbert’s victory over Atmane stands as a testament to resilience and the importance of seizing opportunities. With his first win of 2026 secured, the Frenchman is back on track and ready for whatever comes next.