AUCKLAND: Unseeded Ugo Humbert will play fifth-seeded Benoit Paire in an all-French final of the Auckland Classic.

Humbert beat fourth seed and two-time champion John Isner 7-6 (5), 6-4 on Friday to reach his first career final.

Paire later beat sixth-seeded Hubert Hurkacz of Poland 6-4, 6-7 (0), 6-2 to reach his ninth final and his first in Auckland.

Close friends, Paire and Humbert have met only once on tour, last August, when Paire won in three sets at Winston-Salem.

“To play against Ugo in the final is something special, between French guys,” Paire said. “I know him, he’s young and he’s a very good player, next gen.”

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2020