Corentin Moutet advanced to the third round of the Rome Masters 1000 on May 9, 2025, after his compatriot Ugo Humbert retired from their match. Moutet was leading 6-3, 4-0 when Humbert decided to withdraw, citing ongoing issues with a hand injury. The match lasted just 1 hour and 10 minutes, with Moutet demonstrating a strong performance before Humbert's retirement.
Moutet, 26 years old and currently ranked 83rd in the world, had previously defeated Australian Rinky Hijikata in the first round. This latest victory marks his second consecutive win in Masters 1000 events, a notable improvement from his last appearance in Rome, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in the second round back in 2022.
After the match, Moutet expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, "I felt good on the court and was able to play my game effectively." His precision was evident as he committed only nine unforced errors compared to Humbert's staggering 37. Moutet's ability to maintain composure under pressure helped him secure the win, as he utilized a mix of aggressive forehands and deft drop shots to keep Humbert off balance.
In contrast, Humbert's struggles were apparent as he failed to find his rhythm throughout the match. The 22nd-ranked player had entered the tournament with a fractured fifth metacarpal in his right hand, an injury sustained from a fall on a bedside table. Despite an early break that gave him a brief lead, Humbert was unable to sustain his momentum, ultimately succumbing to the pain and the mounting errors.
Humbert, who has only won one match in his last four tournaments, remains hopeful for his future on the grass courts. "Roland Garros is in three weeks, and while I’m not setting it as my main goal, I hope to be ready for the grass season, which is something I really care about," he remarked after the match. His past successes on grass include winning the Halle tournament in 2021 and reaching the eighth finals at Wimbledon in both 2019 and 2024.
As Humbert looks ahead, he is focusing on recovery. He revealed, "It’s a pain I have to learn to play with, as the doctor told me I would likely have pain for one or two months." Humbert’s determination to return to form is evident, but he acknowledged the challenges he faces on clay, having only secured one victory in six appearances at Roland Garros.
With Humbert’s retirement, Moutet now looks forward to his next challenge in the tournament, where he will face either Danish player Holger Rune or Argentinian Francisco Comesana for a place in the eighth-finals. The victory has boosted Moutet’s confidence as he aims to make a deeper run in the tournament this year.
The Rome Masters 1000 continues to showcase intense competition, and Moutet’s performance today adds to the excitement as the tournament progresses. Fans are eager to see if he can capitalize on this momentum and make a significant impact in the later rounds.
As the clay season heats up, all eyes will be on Moutet as he seeks to build on his recent success, while Humbert’s path to recovery is closely watched by supporters eager to see him back at full strength.
