Both players entered their fourth final of the season, with Alexander Zverev previously falling short to Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open final and Arthur Fils in Hamburg.

His semi-final win on Saturday secured his rise above Alcaraz to reclaim the number two ranking.

Meanwhile, Humbert, who stunned Alcaraz in the last 16, became the first French player in 13 years to reach the Paris Masters final.

Ultimately however, he just didn’t have enough to challenge a rather supreme Zverev display just weeks before the ATP Finals in Turin.

Ugo Humbert reflects on ‘amazing’ Alexander Zverev display

In his maiden Paris Masters final against Zverev, Humbert faced a truly relentless opponent from the first game.

Though he fought hard, Humbert struggled to keep up with the second seed’s pace and power, especially on serve, where the German gave very little away.

Humbert admitted himself he felt drained both physically and mentally, starting the match with signs of fatigue that only grew as the sets progressed.

Reflecting on the challenges he faced, Humbert said in his press conference: “Physically, when I woke up this morning during the warmup it was not easy. I was tired. But I accepted that it was the way it was. Mentally, I also felt that I was less composed.

“As for him, his serve was amazing during the first set. I had no free points during the second set. Sometimes I could have some free points, but also, his forehand I thought that I could try to get something, but he gave me nothing. The only point I could get is when he had a crosscourt backhand. Otherwise nothing.

“He played as usual, far from his line. It was difficult to outpace him. He got the most out of me. I tried to do my utmost. It was tough, but that’s the way it is.”

Ugo Humbert needs a run at a Grand Slam to move to the next level

Humbert has been hovering near the top 15, consistently showing he has the skill and resilience to compete with the best.

Despite his clear talent, his Grand Slam record still leaves room for growth, with his best result only a fourth-round appearance at Wimbledon.

His strong performances on hard courts suggest he has the game to make a deeper run at the majors, but he has yet to break through when it matters most.

The upcoming Australian Open could be a perfect opportunity for Humbert to demonstrate his potential on the big stage. If he manages a deep run, it would solidify his place among the game’s elite and signal he’s ready to take the next step in his career.

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