Those damn French!

Yes, both French players were great, but my eye was drawn a bit more to Luca. His level of course, but also and especially his reaction when he beat his first top 20 in his career and reached the first semi of his career: he clenched his fist, shook Rublev’s hand as if he’d already beaten him 10 times, and wrote "Why not" on the camera. I was a bit stunned, I admit. I really feel like this is a special week for him, a week where everything is clicking. He’s not getting carried away. The path seems normal.

As for Hugo, we already thought his game would kind of break down the Portuguese player’s game, but in the end, I find that he ended up playing a bit tight.

My hypothesis here is therefore that the match-up won’t necessarily be that dangerous for Luca. I find him good in his attacking phases, and he’s more stable mentally. Physically, I see him holding up. He lost fairly early in Umag. And his physicality is the foundation of his game. Of course, if he’s a bit affected, his game will immediately suffer. But I didn’t find him tired against Rublo, and he’s now gained a level of confidence that allows him to get a few more free points with his serve and his backhand. And honestly, even if it wasn’t the best Rublev, putting another push in during the 3rd set to break, then keeping his head underwater without cracking, I think that’s impressive. In any case, to me that shows a guy who isn’t overplaying.