In-form Humbert eases past Bublik to capture Dubai title

DUBAI (Agencies): Fifth seed Ugo Humbert produced a near-flawless performance to outclass Kazakh Alexander Bublik 6-4 6-3 and capture the Dubai Tennis Championships title on Saturday for his second trophy this season. By lifting the title, the 25-year-old Frenchman became only the third player in the professional era to win his first six tour-level finals, matching the achievement of Latvia’s Ernests Gulbis and Slovakia’s Martin Klizan. The in-form Marseille champion edged a tight opening set when seventh seed Bublik fired a double fault in the 10th game as he chanced his arm and attempted a big second serve in a desperate bid to hold. Left-hander Humbert, who took out top seed and Australian Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev in the semi-final, showcased his superb defensive skills to earn a chance to break in the next set and pounced for a 3-1 lead when Bublik found the net. He unleashed a monster forehand to go 5-2 ahead before a smiling Bublik looked to throw a spanner in the works by riding a wave of support from the Centre Court crowd. But Humbert held his nerve two games later as he saved a breakpoint and wrapped up the match on his second championship point with a passing winner. It was a missed opportunity for Bublik to win his second tour-level title this year following his Montpellier triumph.