Adelaide International: Tomas Machac and Ugo Humbert defy the odds to set up final showdown

There was a brace of upsets in the semi-final stage of the ATP Adelaide International. Tomas Machac proved to be too strong for Tommy Paul, while the number one seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina was defeated by Ugo Humbert.

Both ties went the distance in two very tense and thrilling matchups. There will be a new name on the Adelaide International trophy by this time tomorrow, with Machac and Humbert both determined to head into the Australian Open with a title under their belt along with the resulting momentum.

Machac was the first player to reach the final in Adelaide, coming back from a set deficit to get the better of Paul 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 as he looks for a second ATP title, backing up the one he collected in the Mexican Open 11 months ago.

This time last year, Paul was commencing a golden run which saw him reach two Grand Slam quarter-finals which helped him climb to a career high ranking of world number eight. Injuries have set him back in recent times as he looked to get back to where he was before.

It looked like this from the start of the opening semi-final. After going 2-1 down, Paul survived four break points before winning five games on the spin to take the first set in resounding fashion.

However, back came Machac. He was much more clinical, taking the first break point which came his way in the set. There would only be one more, and it would go the way of the American who was looking to stay in the set after the Czech tennis player spurned a set point. He could not take advantage and Machac made it a level tie.

He then stamped his authority on the semi-final with a convincing break right at the start of the final set. All he needed to do was hold and it would be a third ATP final. This was done with no lingering issues, topped off with a break of the Paul's serve right at the end to reach the final in Adelaide.

It was a very closely contested tie between the number one seed Davidovich Fokina and Humbert. In the end, the Frenchman stayed firm and was able to clinch a huge victory, winning 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (4) as he sails into a maiden final in Adelaide.

One of the best players to have never picked up an ATP title, Davidovich Fokina was hoping to kick off 2026 by removing a huge burden from his shoulders. It did not start well, with Humbert on the front foot. He broke enroute to taking a 5-2 lead, and saw out the first set on serve.

A quick and comfortable victory was the objective, but it is never easy when playing the Spanish number two. It looked an almost certainty that a first tiebreak of the match was going to occur after both players looked at ease serving. This was until the final game where Davidovich Fokina took a rare break point opportunity to force a final set.

In a similar pattern to the one before, there were not even any break chances for either players to test each other with. A tiebreak seemed inevitable, with a place in the final on the line. At 3-3, it could have gone anyone's way, with the match waiting for someone to grab it by the horns. It was Humbert who was up to the task, winning four of the next five points to seal an 11th final, with the opportunity of am eighth title within reach.

Mahac and Humbert last played in the 2024 Japan Open, with Humbert winning in three-sets. The final will take place on January 17, 4:30 local time.