Hubert Hurkacz Does Double Duty, Helps Poland Past Kazakhstan In Brisbane | ATP Tour

Hubert Hurkacz earned a important win for his nation on Sunday night on the United Cup, the place he defeated Alexander Bublik 7-6(8), 4-6, 6-3 to present Poland a 2-1 lead towards Kazakhstan. Magda Linette then completed the job and Hurkacz/Iga Swiatek capped a 4-1 victory for his or her countrey.

World No. 48 Linette secured the successful level for Poland, easing previous Kazakhstan’s Zhibek Kulambayeva 6-2, 6-1 in Brisbane.

“Following Hubi was nice,” Linette mentioned. “Watching that match from them was nerve-wracking. Nevertheless it was very nice coming with the benefit of understanding he received. It was nice and I simply did my job.”

Hurkacz’s match appeared destined for a final-set tie-break between two of the largest servers on the ATP Tour, however Hurkacz was opportunistic on the most crucial second. On his third break level at 4-3, the Pole hit a well-placed return deep within the courtroom to place Bublik on the again foot, then rushed ahead and executed an ideal half volley to elicit a straightforward putaway.

If Hurkacz had any nerves as he stepped to the road to serve for the victory, he didn’t present them. The Pole held to like, crushing his 18th ace of the match to triumph after two hours and 9 minutes.

“It was quite a lot of enjoyable to play towards Sascha. I believe that the standard was actually excessive. It was the primary match of the brand new 12 months on the primary [day of the year], in order that was fairly good. I’m actually proud of the standard and it was positively a enjoyable match,” Hurkacz mentioned. “It was quite a lot of enjoyable to play in entrance of such an ideal crowd. I’ve by no means been in Brisbane and I actually like it right here so thanks guys for coming.” 

Hurkacz now leads Bublik 4-1 of their ATP Head2Head collection, and has received 4 consecutive matches towards the Kazakhstani. Bublik hit 15 aces and saved three of the 4 break factors he confronted, but it surely was his last service recreation that proved his undoing. 

Linette was scientific in her first match of the season, displaying her high quality and expertise towards Kulambayeva, who has grow to be a fan favourite in Brisbane. The 441st-ranked 22-year-old had no solutions for Linette’s baseline consistency. Linette fired 18 groundstroke winners within the match whereas limiting Kulambayeva to simply 5.

With the tie already in hand, Hurkacz and Swiatek confirmed their high quality within the combined doubles, defeating Kulambayeva and Grigoriy Lomakin 6-3, 6-4.

Lomakin threw in a number of underarm serves efficiently, but it surely was not sufficient for the Kazakhstanis. WTA World No. 1 Swiatek hit an around-the-netpost winner and Poland will subsequent face Switzerland to resolve the winner of Group B.