Carlos
Alcaraz turned around an incredible match against Hurkacz to advance to the
quarterfinals of the National Bank Open in Toronto.
The world
No. 1 faced a tough challenge in the round of 16, as he squared off against the
Polish player Hurkacz for the second time in his career. Their first encounter
took place in the semifinals of the 2022 Miami Open, where Alcaraz secured a
7-6, 7-6 victory, marking his first Masters 1000 title.
Alcaraz
kicked off this week's action in the second round, facing Ben Shelton (who had
a bye in the first round) and clinching a hard-fought victory with a score of
6-3, 7-6(3) against the determined American.
Hurkacz
entered the tournament as the 15th seed and managed to defeat Aleksander Bublik
in two sets. He then overcame a shaky start against Miomir Kecmanovic,
ultimately securing a challenging victory with a score of 5-7, 6-3, 6-0.
In the
opening set, the world No. 1 faced an early service break, allowing Hurkacz to
take a 3-0 lead that proved insurmountable for Alcaraz. Despite having two
break points in the fifth game, Hurkacz's impressive serving skills prevailed,
maintaining his advantage and securing the set 6-3.
In the
second set, "Carlitos" encountered a difficult start, once again
quickly dropping his serve. However, he managed to recover, level the score,
and take the set to an eventual tie-break. Hurkacz relinquished his service
twice during the tie-break, enabling Alcaraz to even the match.
The
decisive set began with Alcaraz seizing an early break, and he secured another
break in the seventh game to establish a 5-2 lead, complete with a two-break
advantage and his own service. Despite holding two match points, Hurkacz
mounted a comeback, winning four consecutive games and putting pressure on his
opponent.
Ultimately,
Alcaraz forced the match into a tie-break, where his world No. 1 prowess shone
through. He secured two mini-breaks to establish a 6-1 lead, and he capitalized
on his third match point to secure a remarkable comeback victory.
This win
matches Alcaraz's best ATP Tour streak to date, which he previously achieved on
clay in 2022. During that span, he claimed titles at the Barcelona Open and
Madrid Open, and he advanced to the quarterfinals of the French Open before
falling to an inspired Alexander Zverev.
This time,
Alcaraz embarked on his streak on the grass courts of Queen's Club, continued
it at Wimbledon, and now continues to impress at the Canadian Open. His
upcoming match will see him face either American player Tommy Paul or the
surprise contender Marcos Giron, who, emerging from the qualifying rounds,
eliminated Holger Rune in the second round.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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