The second semi-final of the Open 13 Provence 2021 pitted the number 4 seed in the draw, Ugo Humbert, against Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Nothing to declare until 4-3. It was at this point, on Ugo Humbert's serve, that the first set turned. Herbert takes his opponent's serve and confirms it in the next game. After 39 minutes of play, the Alsatian won the first set 6-3.
The second set started with another break by a Pierre-Hugues Herbert in full possession and as calm as a Swiss player. Two games later, and thanks to a nasty double fault by Humbert, Herbert is up 4-1, then 5-1 once the double break is confirmed. At 5-2, P2H serves for the match. The 93rd player in the world does not tremble: 2 aces, 1 service winner, 1 service volley on the second ball, and the matter is in the bag. Pierre-Hugues Herbert wins 6-3 6-2 in 1h05.
Like Daniil Medvedev, Pierre-Hugues Herbert will play the final in Marseille (his 4th on the circuit) for the very first time in his career. At the Open 13 Provence, the two men had already faced each other in 2015 in the qualifiers. Herbert won. That was in the world before.
But whatever happens, it is an unprecedented winner who will succeed Stefanos Tsitsipas as the tournament's champion.
