Humbert Outlasts Davidovich Fokina To Set Up Adelaide Final

It was a Friday morning packed with drama and high-quality tennis at the ATP 250 tournament in Adelaide, as the second semifinal delivered on all fronts. Top seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina locked horns with France’s Ugo Humbert in a battle that had fans glued to their seats and left everyone wondering—could the Spaniard finally break his finals curse, or would Humbert’s experience shine through?

Coming into the match, Davidovich Fokina held a slim 3-1 lead in their head-to-head encounters, and he’d looked sharp all week, dispatching Rinky Hijikata and Valentin Vacherot in straight sets. But Humbert, who suffered a disappointing early loss to Cameron Norrie in Brisbane the previous week, had rediscovered his rhythm in Adelaide. The Frenchman stormed through Térence Atmane, Tallon Griekspoor, and Alexander Shevchenko without dropping a set, regaining the confidence that’s made him a perennial threat on tour.

As the semifinal got underway, it was clear neither player was willing to give an inch. Humbert, making his debut appearance in Adelaide, came out firing. He dictated play with aggressive angles and pinpoint serves, breaking Davidovich Fokina midway through the first set to take the early lead. The Frenchman’s serve was rock solid—he conceded just one break point throughout the entire match, a testament to his composure under pressure.

But Davidovich Fokina, the world No. 15, wasn’t about to roll over. He dug deep in the second set, pushing Humbert to the brink. At 6-5, he finally capitalized on his only break opportunity, leveling the match and keeping his hopes alive for a maiden ATP title. The crowd could feel the tension ratcheting up as the contest headed into a decisive third set.

Neither player could break through in the final set, each holding serve with steely determination. It all came down to a tie-break—a fitting climax for such a tightly contested affair. Under the bright Adelaide lights, Humbert kept his nerve, edging out the Spaniard 7-6(4) after two hours and thirty-two minutes of relentless action. With a final scoreline of 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(4), the Frenchman booked his spot in his 11th career ATP final.

"It was a great match, Foki played at a great level, and I’m super happy that I’m in the final here," Humbert said, beaming in his post-match interview. He added, "I thought I was half Australian, so thank you so much guys. The atmosphere was so good, I enjoyed my time on the court so much." The crowd responded with raucous applause, clearly appreciative of the show both players had put on.

For Davidovich Fokina, the defeat was another bitter pill to swallow. Despite his impressive run, the Spaniard’s quest for a first main tour title remains unfulfilled. Since 2022, he’s reached five ATP finals but has yet to lift a trophy. Still, his performance in Adelaide showed he’s edging closer to breaking through—if he can keep up this level, surely his time will come.

On the other side of the draw, Czech eighth seed Tomas Machac was quietly building momentum. Earlier in the day, Machac battled past second seed Tommy Paul 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 to secure his place in the final. The American, returning from a three-month layoff due to a left foot injury, looked sharp early but couldn’t maintain his level as Machac found his groove.

"I started very slow, but then I just tried to fight and move better, and it went great, I could barely miss," Machac reflected after his victory. "Normally I play great in Australia, so maybe [the turnaround in form] is because of you guys! I will just try to play my tennis, and I will definitely enjoy the final." The Czech’s resilience was on full display, as he shrugged off the opening set loss and dominated the next two, setting up a mouthwatering showdown with Humbert.

This isn’t the first time Humbert and Machac have crossed paths. Their only previous meeting came in the semifinals of the 2024 Tokyo tournament, where Humbert emerged victorious in a three-set thriller, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. With both players in scintillating form and holding similar rankings—Humbert at No. 36 and Machac at No. 35—the final promises to be a closely contested affair.

Statistically, Humbert holds a slight edge in finals experience. He boasts a 7-3 record in ATP finals and is chasing his eighth career title, his first since lifting the trophy in Marseille last year. Machac, meanwhile, is making just his third appearance in an ATP final, having won his maiden title in Acapulco last season against none other than Davidovich Fokina. The Czech’s record stands at 1-1 in finals, but his ceiling appears to be rising with every match.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. For Humbert, a win would cement his status as a proven closer on the ATP Tour and give him a perfect springboard into the Australian Open. For Machac, it’s a chance to double his trophy haul and announce himself as a force to be reckoned with in 2026.

Both players have shown remarkable resilience and adaptability this week in Adelaide. Humbert’s ability to stay calm under pressure and his knack for raising his game in crucial moments have served him well. Machac’s tenacity and willingness to fight back from adversity, as seen in his semifinal win over Paul, make him a dangerous opponent in any setting.

As the tournament heads into its final day, anticipation is at a fever pitch. The Adelaide crowd has been treated to some top-notch tennis, and Saturday’s final looks set to deliver even more fireworks. Will Humbert’s experience and consistency carry him to an eighth ATP title, or will Machac’s youthful exuberance and Australian hot streak propel him to a second career crown?

One thing’s for certain: with both men playing at such a high level, tennis fans are in for a treat. The Adelaide International final is shaping up to be a battle of wills, skill, and nerves—exactly the kind of showdown that makes this sport so compelling. As Humbert and Machac prepare to face off, all eyes will be on Centre Court to see who can seize the moment and etch their name into Adelaide history.

With the Australian Open looming just around the corner, there’s more than just a trophy at stake. Momentum, confidence, and bragging rights are all on the line in what promises to be a memorable finale. Adelaide’s tennis faithful wouldn’t have it any other way.