Tennis-Humberts’ three-year reign in Auckland ended with a first-round loss

(Reuters) Ugo Humberts’ three-year reign as Auckland Open winner ended on Tuesday when Christopher Eubanks beat the Frenchman 7-6(4) 7-6(3), while sixth-seeded American John Isner also exited the tournament. first round.

Humbert won the event, his first success on the ATP Tour when it was last played in 2020, but lost to the American qualifier in the semi-finals.

“I played pretty good balls throughout the match and I think being comfortable and playing a lot of breaks in a lot of my games showed a pretty good effect today, so I’m pretty happy,” Eubanks said.

The Auckland Open is back after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Tuesday’s matches were moved indoors and played without fans due to the impending arrival of Cyclone Hale.

The day opened with Isner, a 2018 Wimbledon semifinalist, eliminated after losing in three sets to Gregoire Barre.

Barrere won the tie 7-6(3), 7-6(5), 6-3 to beat the serving American big time, who lost despite 56 aces.

Eubanks next faces Belgium’s David Goffin, while Barrere faces France’s Constant Lestienne in the second round.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Alex de Minaur continued his impressive early season form by defeating former world number three Dominic Thiem 6-4 6-4 at the Kooyong Classic exhibition event.

The victory came a week after de Minaur beat defending Australian Open champion Rafa Nadal at the United Cup in Sydney.

Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, will play at the Australian Open, where he was a finalist in 2020 after receiving a wildcard, as he continues his comeback from a wrist injury.

(Reporting by Michael Church in Hong Kong; Editing by Christopher Cushing)