Little-known Australian Adam Walton says he’s not done yet after dumping 22nd seed Ugo Humbert out of the US Open in the first round on Tuesday (AEST).
Walton, ranked No.85 in the world, survived the Frenchman’s third set revival to complete a 6-4, 7-6, 5-7, 6-1 upset in nerveless fashion in New York.
The 26-year-old from Brisbane is fresh from knocking former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev out of the Cincinatti Masters in straight sets and will play Coleman Wong of Hong Kong in the second round.
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Adam Walton of Australia reacts after winning the second set against Ugo Humbert of France. Getty
“I’ve had a good American summer and I just believed,” a delighted Walton told Stan Sport’s Duncan McKenzie-McHarg.
“I played well from the first point. I thought he raised his level after dropping the first two sets. He was serving very, very well, and I eventually, lost serve at 5-5 in the third, and I thought there was a bit of a momentum shift.
“I thought it was a crucial hold, first game of the fourth, and then I just told myself to try to step up a little bit. I’m glad it paid off in the fourth set.”
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Walton has never reached the third round of a grand slam tournament.
Humbert is a huge scalp, having been ranked as high as No.13 in the world.
“Just consistent hard working, I just try to get a little bit better each and every day and the results will come hopefully. This has been a great year so far.
Adam Walton. Stan
“I don’t want to stop here. I want to keep pushing forward. It’s just a really good year and just really excited to keep going with my tennis.”
Walton honed his craft at the University of Tennessee before turning pro in 2022.
Breaking into the top 100 gave him a shot of self belief.
“I probably wouldn’t have believed it,” Walton said.
“It was baby steps at first, and then I did create new goals. Top 100 wasn’t really in the picture when I graduated college, I didn’t really think I could do it.
“Your goals change as you start playing better tennis, and set new goals. You want to achieve bigger and better things, and I’m just trying to belong in the top 100.
Adam Walton of Australia plays a forehand shot against Ugo Humbert of France. Getty
“I think I’ve done that over the last 12 months, and now we’re just trying to push higher.”
Walton’s next opponent is the first player from Hong Kong to win a grand slam men’s singles match since the Open era began in 1968.
Wong upset American Aleksander Kovacevic in straight sets, winning 6-4, 7-5, 7-6.
The 21-year-old is ranked 173rd was making his main draw slam debut.
He had fallen short in qualifying at Flushing Meadows, the Australian Open and twice apiece at Wimbledon and the French Open.
