Hubert Hurkacz Wins 2nd Masters 1000 Title In Shanghai After Surviving A Thrilling Match Against Andrey Rublev

In a breathtaking Shanghai Masters final with one of the GOATs watching, Hubert Hurkacz prevailed in a nerve-wracking final tiebreak as he outlasted Andrey Rublev 6-3 3-6 7-6(8) to win his second ATP Masters 1000 title. In a difficult final, the Pole used his explosive serve to good effect in the crucial moments. As he did in his impressive semifinal win over Sebastian Korda, the Polish player’s serve was again his strike weapon as he sent down 21 aces and won 81% (57/70) of the first serve points. However, Rublev retaliated with his trademark powerful shots, and the final could have gone either way before the Pole came out on top in an enthralling final set tiebreak.

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Hubert Hurkacz Saves Match Point en Route to Winning the Deciding Tie Break

Prior to the final, the fifth-seeded Russian had not dropped a set, but that quickly changed when Hubert Hurkacz broke the Russian’s serve to lead 4-2 and end the first set with an ace. The Pole has hit more aces than anyone on the ATP Tour this season and started in similar form in the first set, hitting seven aces to Rublev’s two. However, Rublev came roaring back in the second.

The Russian titan broke Hubert Hurkacz’s serve early in the second set and eventually closed out the set in a similar fashion. However, the third set was when the match really kicked off as the Umpire reprimanded the Russian for voicing his anger at a photographer’s movement when he lost the point. Rublev did well to stay composed as he saved a match point and forced the deciding set into a tiebreak.

All seemed lost for Hubert Hurkacz when Rublev led 3-0 and 5-2 in the tiebreak, but the Pole relied on his trademark ace as he rallied back to 5-6 before serving yet another ace to save match point. The players exchanged points until 8-8 before Hubert Hurkacz eventually converted on his fourth chance to take the title after two hours and nine minutes. The win means the Pole has secured his second ATP Masters 1000 title and 7th title overall on tour.

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Hubert Hurkacz’s Official Post-Match Statement: “It Was Such a Battle”

In his court-side interview after receiving the trophy, Hubert Hurkacz mentioned: “It was such a battle, especially emotionally. I had a match point, and Andrey hit an amazing serve, and then he had a match point, and then I had some. It was back and forth and such a tricky match. Andrey was playing some great shots. I was trying to respond. It was one of those matches, and I kept believing, and I am super happy with how I managed at the end.”

On his time with Shanghai and his chances in Turin, the Pole stated: “It is such a big tournament and so much tradition. It is a huge event, and I am really happy now. Coming to this couple of weeks starting here in Shanghai, I knew I had to give myself a chance, and I need to be winning tournaments, so that’s a pretty good start.”

Hubert Hurkacz continued: “I mean. Just an amazing week here in Shanghai. I really enjoyed it here with the team, but ultimately, we just want to get better every single day and improve, enjoy those moments, but we’re just going to try our best and then just keep fighting and keep competing.” 

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Roger Federer Was in Attendance at the Shanghai Masters

While Hubert Hurkacz may have earned most of the attention when he won, the people’s attention was undoubtedly on Roger, as he was in attendance throughout the week at the Shanghai Masters. The Swiss maestro walked out on the court days earlier with local tennis Superstar Li Na amidst stadium-erupting applause from the crowd.

The Swiss was also present in the final, as he wore a pair of black sunglasses and appreciated the match between Hubert Hurkacz and Andrey Rublev. In a hilarious post-match press conference, Hubert Hurkacz addressed that he forgot to mention the legendary figure.

“There are so many champions who won it in the past and so many amazing players, and in my speech, I was trying to thank everyone. I forgot to mention Roger, thanks for coming. Hopefully, he won’t take it personally! But it is definitely fun to play in front of him. Hopefully, he enjoyed it a little bit.”