The Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert was eliminated on Friday in the semi-final of the ATP 250 tournament in Metz (Moselle), released in two sets by the Russian Alexander Shevchenko 6-4, 6-4.

The Russian, 63rd in the world, got the better of the 32-year-old Frenchman (344th) in 1h17 of play, for their first confrontation, and reached the first final of his career on the circuit.

Herbert, for his part, misses the opportunity to experience his first final since 2021 and the Marseille tournament. In Moselle, he had created a surprise the day before by eliminating his compatriot Luca Van Asche, 70th in the world in three sets.

Ugo Humbert, French No.1, faces Italian Fabio Fognini (130th) on Friday for second finalist place.