Lexus Eastbourne Open 2026: Ugo Humbert beats Jack Draper to set up final with Zizou Bergs
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Ugo Humbert and Zizou Bergs will contest the Lexus Eastbourne Open men’s singles final on Saturday, both coming through against British stars Jack Draper and Toby Samuel.
It was the first time two British players had reached the semi-finals of the men’s draw since it was held in Eastbourne, but their French and Belgian opponents had the extra edge on the day.
Last week’s HSBC Championships semi-finalist Humbert produced a solid performance to knock out former world No.4 Draper 7-5, 6-3.
Meanwhile, Samuel had the chance to serve for the match against Bergs before bowing out 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-2 in two hours and eight minutes.
Draper has enjoyed an impressive comeback from injury in Eastbourne this week and will be pleased with his wins over Marcos Giron, Jack Pinnington Jones, and Gabriel Diallo.
The 24-year-old Brit couldn’t find a way past world No.30 Humbert, who is having a great grass court season of his own.
The Frenchman was celebrating his 28th birthday and was met with a chorus of singing from the crowd after coming through a tough battle with Draper.
“By far it’s the best gift I could have today, I’m super happy,” Humbert said in his post-match interview.
“It’s nice to see Jack back on court. The level was really impressive. I think I was a bit lucky in the second set. I played a great level, and I’m super happy to be in the final.
“Tonight I have to do my recovery to be ready for tomorrow. No big party, but France is playing so I’ll be watching the match.”
Draper started off the stronger of the two but as Humbert became more familiar with the big-lefty serve, he started to put the pressure on.
Leading 6-5 in the first set, Humbert missed three set points, and then broke a string in setting up his fourth. Draper was left frustrated, having mis-queued a forehand long to gift the Frenchman the set.
The former Indian Wells champion was not without his opportunities in the second set. Humbert held his nerve to save four break points on a lengthy third game, which proved a turning point.
Humbert broke just two games later and served his way through to a 12th career ATP final and a well-deserved victory.
"Frustrated," Draper said, summarising his feelings after the match. "Difficult match, I think he played a really high level. He played the pressure moments better than I did, and I give him credit for that. I just couldn’t make it happen when it mattered.
"Massively positive (week). I’m a bit annoyed right now, but at the same time a couple of weeks ago I didn’t know where I was.
"To have made the strides I’ve made, to have reached a semi-final at a tour event straight away isn’t easy. I’m proud of that."
Bergs had to produce a great escape to book his place in a third ATP final and become the first Belgian to reach this stage at Eastbourne.
Samuel was on top for much of the first and second sets with the chance to serve for it at 5-4, and then three break points in the following game.
The Belgian, who also knocked out Britain’s Jan Choinski in the quarter-finals, found a way to edge through the tie-break and the momentum shifted fully in his favour.
Much improved serving and back-to-back breaks midway through the deciding set were ultimately the difference as Bergs secured a spot in his second grass court final.
“It took a lot (of fight)," Bergs said after the match. “I got in a negative spot because he was playing very good tennis. Really smacking the ball and I didn’t feel it. Then it’s all about surviving, trying to be positive, even though it wasn’t always working.
“Luckily in the second set I turned it around in the tie-break, every game tried to play better tennis. I’m so glad I got it done eventually in the third set.”
It brings an end to a fairytale week for Samuel, who came into the tournament as a lucky loser and picked up his first ATP Tour win earlier in the week.
The 23-year-old is one of a cohort of rising British tennis stars at the moment and is enjoying an impressive start to life on the professional tour. There’s no doubt that his week’s work will serve him in strong stead for the remainder of the season.
“It was a really cool experience,” Samuel said. “I’m still getting to experience these things for the first time and everything is new and exciting. I gave it my best shot, out there, the crowd were amazing and I’m proud of how I played.
“It’s been super important. It’s given me the confidence to know that I can play with these guys. Playing guys that are ranked around 50 in the world, three in a row, winning two and then going really close in the other one.”
Draper and Samuel now turn their attention to Wimbledon, where both have been dealt tough first round draws.
Draper faces a blockbuster matchup with American sixth seed and last year’s semi-finalist Taylor Fritz, while Samuel will make his Wimbledon debut against 15th seed Jakub Mensik.
Saturday’s final in Eastbourne will be a second clash between Humbert and Bergs. Their one previous meeting came in Marseille last year – with the Frenchman coming through their semi-final 6-4, 6-4.
This will be the first time Humbert and Bergs have played each other on grass.
How to watch the Lexus Eastbourne Open final
You can watch Ugo Humbert vs Zizou Bergs in action in the Lexus Eastbourne Open men's singles final live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport as well as the Tennis Channel.
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