Sixth-seeded Ugo Humbert of France had five aces and saved all four break points he faced while posting a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Brit Jack Draper on Friday to reach the finals of the Lexus Eastbourne Open in England.
Humbert, who turned 28 on Friday, was serenaded with a rendition of "Happy Birthday" after the semifinal victory. He will be seeking his eighth career singles title when he faces Belgium's Zizou Bergs in the championship match.
Bergs will be looking to win his first career singles title
after taking down Great Britain's Toby Samuel 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2 in the semis. Bergs had an 11-4 edge in aces and saved 6 of 10 break points.
Draper put together a good showing this week in front of the English crowds with three straight victories prior to the semifinal loss to Humbert. This was his first tournament since April due to a right knee injury.
Vanda Pharmaceuticals Mallorca Championships
Second-seeded Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain served seven aces and rallied for a 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Fabian Marozsan of Hungary to advance to the championship match in Mallorca, Spain.
After losing the opening set, Davidovich Fokina bolted out to a 5-1 lead in the second set en route to evening the match. He trailed 4-3 in the third set before winning the final three games of the match.
Davidovich Fokina will take aim at this first career singles title when he faces Ethan Quinn, who rolled to a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Portugal's Nuno Borges. The 22-year-old American also will be looking for his initial ATP crown.
Quinn won 22 of 27 first-serve points (81.5%) and converted 4 of 6 break points. Borges won just 22.2% of his second-serve points (4 of 18).
--Field Level Media
