What a start for Hubert Hurkacz at the French Open! After playing two marathons, the Polish giant found a way to stay alive in the tournament.
The Pole played his opening match against the former world number 7 David Goffin last Sunday. The Belgian resisted for over 3.5 hours to the giant from Wrocław before being eliminated in 5 tight sets (6-3; 5-7; 6-4; 2-6; 6-4). This first win in Paris already represented a huge relief for the Pole, who has the ambition of rejoining the top 10 this year.
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In the second round, Hurkacz was opposed to the Dutch Tallon Griekspoor (ATP 39). All started well for the Silesian, who logically took the lead early (6-3). Yet, the tide was about to turn at 5-5 in the second set. After an intense battle, Hubi was eventually broken and had to start all over again (5-7).
If anything is to be remembered about this entertaining match, it’s undoubtedly the unbelievable third set that both men produced. The latter lasted close to 1.5 hours and was won unexpectedly by the Dutchman by a staggering 15 to 13 in the tie-break (6-7).
Well, there might be another important thing to know about yesterday’s game. Later on, Griekspoor even served for the match in the fourth set. It could have been it for the Polish star. But he came back! In the tie-break, Hubi heroically managed to stay in the match by 7 points to 5 (7-6), forcing a deciding set.
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The confrontation between both men was an intense battle until the very end, with Hurkacz, cheered up by numerous Polish fans, sealing the deal after close to 5 hours of struggle.
Hubi’s upcoming game for a place in the fourth round is scheduled on Friday at 10 AM (UK time). The Pole will face the Peruvian Juan Pablo Varillas (ATP 94). Although he’ll be the favourite, it’s worth underlying that he played ten sets in two matches and spent close to 8.5 hours on the court so far. Can he continue his breathtaking journey in Paris? We’ll have the answer soon.
Image: Getty Images
Author: Sébastien Meuwissen
