Hubert Hurkacz reaches first final in almost a year but cannot convert into title at Challenger event

For the first time in nearly a year, Hubert Hurkacz was in a final competing for glory. Unfortunately, he was not able to get over the line against Matteo Arnaldi, losing 6-4, 6-4 in the Cagliari Challenger.

The ATP 175 event was a useful tournament for players who exited early from the Madrid Open or wanted to get some more clay tennis in before the hectic dash to Roland Garros. Played in Italy, many players will not have far to go ahead of the Rome Open, the next Masters 1000 tournament.

Hurkacz will be involved in that. The two-time quarterfinalist had enjoyed past success at the tournament. Progress for him as of late has been rather challenging. Injury kept him out for the second half of the 2025 season, and now he continues to play looking for that spark which saw him climb to a high of world number six in 2024.

He was not the only one in the fray. Number one seed and 2024 champion Mariano Navone targeted more success on clay but was defeated by former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini. The Italian would go on to lose in a rematch of the 2022 semi-final at SW19 as Hurkacz continued his progress.

After losing in the second round of the Madrid Open, this was a great way to get him back on track. Number four seed Roman Andres Burruchaga was taken down in a tight three-set battle as he set up a tie with Arnaldi in the final.

His last ATP final appearance was vastly overshadowed by a certain Novak Djokovic. The Serbian won his 100th ATP title at the Geneva Open in a historic achievement. Hurkacz would get injured a few tournaments later and needed surgery.

It is his first final since coming back, but the wait for a first title since the 2024 Estoril Open prolongs.

Funnily enough, one of the Pole's best attributes is serving. This made it very surprising to see his first serve percentage in the first set at only 60%. There were five breaks in the first seven games. Hurkacz took the advantage as he sailed into a 3-1 lead but failed to back it up.

The two-time Masters champion lost four games in a row to fall 5-3 behind. He was fortunate that it was not five on the spin with Arnaldi, who had a break advantage, miss six match points on the Hurkacz serve. The Italian got the first set done and dusted in the next game, using his eighth set point.

Hurkacz seized the initiative at the start of the second set but that was soon wiped away by Arnaldi. Another four game spurt saw him claim a break lead along with that all important first set. He survived a late break point before serving it out to love to seal the former Canadian Open semi-finalist a first title since June 2023, also on the Challenger Tour.

For Hurkacz, it is much needed points on the board ahead of his quarterfinal defence in Rome. The 100 points earned boosts him up 10 spots to 53rd in the world.