After winning Miami in 2021, some painted Hubert Hurkacz as a one Masters 1000 wonder, but he has shown that is not the case with a thrilling Shanghai Masters win over Andrey Rublev.
Hurkacz had to save a match point in the tie against Rublev and ended up sealing it 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(8).
He now moves up to both 11th in the rankings and also in the ATP Race to Turin after a fantastic week in Shanghai.
Hurkacz moved towards the title earlier in the tie. He broke at 3-2 and this proved decisive in a narrow opening set win 6-3.
But Rublev surged back with a mirroring set to make it 6-3, 3-6. It was continually close to the finish with it locked at 4-4 and 5-5 with Rublev initially imploding on match point. But was able to save it with a huge serve.
Sent all the way to a tie-break, Rublev nearly won it, but Hurkacz prevailed in the end. He led at 6-5 but Hurkacz despite spurning a few opportunities finally won it 10-8 with Roger Federer watching on.
Hubert Hurkacz wins the second ATP Masters 1000 title of his career in Shanghai, beating Andrey Rublev 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(8) in the final. Saved a match point. A fantastic tournament in a season that wasn't exactly going as planned for him. Now 11th in the Rankings and Race.
