French Showdown: Humbert vs. Fils in Australian Open Third Round

MELBOURNE, Australia — French tennis stars Ugo Humbert and Arthur Fils will clash in a highly anticipated third-round match at the Australian Open on Friday, setting the stage for an all-French battle. Meanwhile, Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic will face No. 15 seed Jack Draper in another intriguing matchup.

Humbert, the No. 14 seed, and Fils, seeded 20th, have faced off four times in the past 18 months, with Humbert holding a 3-1 edge. Their most recent encounter in the Tokyo final was a thrilling contest, marking Fils’ first victory in their rivalry. Humbert, coming off a strong 2024 season that included a run to the Paris Masters final, has yet to drop a set in Melbourne. Fils, on the other hand, has shown resilience after dropping sets in his first two matches.

“This is one of the most exciting matchups in the third round,” said Greg Butyn, a data analyst at Dimers. “Our simulations give Humbert a 58% chance of winning, but Fils has the talent to push him to the limit.”

In the other match, Vukic, ranked 68th, has emerged as a dangerous opponent after upsetting No. 22 seed Sebastian Korda in the second round. Draper, the top-ranked British player, has endured two grueling five-set matches to reach this stage, raising questions about his stamina. Vukic’s recent form, including a semifinal run in Almaty, makes him a potential upset threat.

“Vukic is playing with confidence, and Draper’s fatigue could be a factor,” said Butyn. “This match could go either way.”

The Humbert-Fils match is scheduled to begin at 2:10 a.m. ET on Friday, with both players vying for a spot in the round of 16. Tennis fans can expect a high-stakes battle as these rising stars aim to make their mark on the 2025 Australian Open.