It took 3 hours and 40 minutes for Hubert Hurkacz to qualify for the second week at the Australian Open. The Pole completed one of his most spectacular wins in Melbourne so far against the Canadian Denis Shapovalov (7:6(3), 6:4, 1:6, 4:6, 6:3).

https://twitter.com/HubertHurkacz/status/1616432445032894470?s=20&t=tBVApQgsfTxy8F0E1i9vHQ

Hurkacz started in an impressive fashion, immediately breaking and leading 3-0. After this failed start, Shapovalov broke back and equalised (3-3), setting the tone for what was going to be a long and tedious fight. Both players neutralised each other. “Shapo” even failed to convert a set point while leading 5-4. Then came the tie-break, via which the Pole took the lead 7-6 (7-3).

The second set was tight as well. Both players broke each other several times in a sort of back and forth rarely seen between two great servers. Thanks to his great vision and a massive last service game (4 aces in a row), Hubi put himself in what looked like a comfortable situation (6-4), leading 2 sets to love. 

https://twitter.com/Hurkacz_fanart/status/1616403934083706880

All of a sudden, the Canadian rose back from the (almost) dead and started toying with his opponent, leaving him no chance (6-1). He continued in a similar spirit in the fourth set, preventing Hurkacz from putting an end to the suspense. 

Eventually, it’s “Hubi” who found the key and validated his ticket for the ⅛ finals in Melbourne for the first time in his career. On Sunday, he’ll face the American Sebastien Korda for a place in the quarter-finals. 

Image: Twitter @HubertHurkacz

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen