ATP Basel: Novak overcomes Humbert, reaches R2

No.4 seed Novak Djokovic had to dig deep to overcome Ugo Humbert 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Wednesday afternoon at the Swiss Indoors Basel.

Competing at the ATP 500 event for the first time since 2011, Djokovic was made to work hard against the Frenchman, but he managed to find his rhythm and clinch the opening victory after two hours and 29 minutes of play.

The win could prove pivotal in Novak’s bid to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals. He is 11th in the ATP Live Race To Turin, 319 points behind ninth-placed Rafael Jodar.

Novak needed some time to find his rhythm and adjust to the conditions on court in Basel. Humbert took advantage in the third game, breaking serve to gain a crucial lead. The Serbian star had a chance to break back in the next game but failed to take it. The Frenchman held on to his advantage and won the set 6-4.

Djokovic raised his level in the second set and took control of the match. He broke serve in the second game and followed it up with a solid service game to take a 3-0 lead. He did not allow Humbert to fight his way back into the set, holding his advantage until the end to win it 6-3 and force a deciding set.

A break in the fifth game of the third set was enough for Novak to claim his 20th victory of 2026 and his first win in Basel after a 15-year absence.

German player Jan-Lennard Struff (ATP no. 47) stands in Novak’s way in the second round in Basel. Nole has a perfect record against Struff, who is three years younger, having won all eight of their previous meetings.

Their ninth H2H encounter will take place on Thursday.

Photo: Profimedia