Match Report
Hurkacz wins powerful Tokyo opener
Pole is thirteenth in PIF ATP Stay Race To Turin
September 25, 2024
YUICHI YAMAZAKI/AFP through Getty Pictures
Hubert Hurkacz is chasing his second title of the season.
By Sam Jacot
Hubert Hurkacz earned an vital win in his quest to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals on Wednesday on the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships, the place he clawed previous American Marcos Giron 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4 to achieve the second spherical in Tokyo.
The Pole arrives on the ATP 500 hard-court occasion thirteenth within the PIF ATP Stay Race To Turin, needing robust runs in the course of the Asian swing to spice up his faint Nitto ATP Finals hopes.
Competing in Asia for the primary time since profitable his second ATP Masters 1000 title in Shanghai final 12 months, the 27-year-old recovered from squandering a break benefit within the second set towards Giron to advance in a decent decider after two hours and eight minutes.
Victory No. 40 of the season ✅@HubertHurkacz kicks off his Tokyo run, combating previous Giron 6-4 6-7(5) 6-4!@japanopentennis | #kinoshitajotennis pic.twitter.com/3SKgAYFIg8
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 25, 2024
Hurkacz now trails eighth-placed Alex de Minaur by 665 factors within the PIF ATP Stay Race To Turin. The Australian, who occupies the ultimate qualification spot, is at present sidelined by damage.
Together with his fortieth tour-level win of the season, Hurkacz improved to 3-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head sequence with Giron. The second seed will purpose to proceed his run in Japan, the place he subsequent meets US Open semi-finalist Jack Draper or Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci.
