Opposed to the British Cameron Norrie, Pierre-Hugues Herbert started in the best possible way, with a break confirmed to take the lead 3-0. And with the manner, please, thanks to a defensive point worthy of the talented doubles player he is, with two returned smashes, finally pushing Norrie to the foul. In the next game, Herbert was faced with four break points, which he managed to defend: he kept his lead to 4-1. Despite a first ball that he would have liked to have been more effective, Herbert managed to keep the lead and take the first set 6-3.
It was at two-all in the second set that P2H accelerated. He once again broke his opponent, attacking the net at every opportunity, forcing Norrie to take risks that pushed him into a corner. At the changeover, when he was 3-4 down, Cameron Norrie called the physio for a back problem. False alarm. At 5-4, Herbert doesn't tremble at all and concludes on his first match point (6-3 6-4).
The Frenchman has qualified for the quarter-finals in Marseille for the first time in his career. It now remains to be seen whether Lucas Pouille or Stefanos Tsitsipas will be his next opponent. To wait, he will already watch this match "because it will be great to see", said the player from Metz in a post-match interview. Then he will be able to prepare himself calmly.
