Novak Djokovic dug deep to overturn Ugo Humbert in Basel, a 'big win' that keeps his season-ending ATP Finals hopes breathing.
Novak Djokovic is not ready to see his season fade out quietly. On his return to Basel, the 24-time Grand Slam champion came from behind to beat Ugo Humbert, and the win keeps his push for a place at the ATP Finals alive.
It was far from routine. Humbert, the crafty French left-hander, made life awkward with his flat, fast-paced hitting and his variety of angles, and Djokovic had to work his way back into the contest. When the Serb found his rhythm, the match turned. His return game tightened, his movement sharpened, and the errors that had crept in earlier dried up.
Djokovic called it a big win afterwards, and the context explains why. The race for the season-ending finale is tight at this stage of the year, and every match counts toward a place in the field. A first-round loss would have made the climb much steeper, so surviving a tough opener was about more than one result.
The veteran now carries momentum deeper into the Swiss indoor week. Questions about his schedule and his sharpness have followed him all season, but he again showed the fight and problem-solving that have defined his career. For rivals chasing those last qualification spots, it is a reminder that Djokovic is still very much in the hunt.
