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Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz (17th seed) displayed remarkable resilience in a gripping five-set battle, triumphing over Switzerland’s Marc-Andrea Huesler with a scoreline of 4-6, 5-7, 7-6 (7-0), 6-3, 6-1. This victory propels him into the second round of the US Open. Hurkacz’s next opponent will be Britain’s Jack Draper, with the match scheduled for Thursday.
Hurkacz’s journey in New York has reached the second round for the fifth time in his career, equaling his best performance. Notably, he had never progressed to the third round before at this major. The contest seemed dire when Huesler had a chance to close the match at 4-6, 5-7, 4-5. However, Hurkacz managed a crucial hold, altering the match’s course.
While Huesler dominated initially, the tide turned as his serve faltered. The pivotal moment arrived in the 10th game of the third set when Hurkacz broke Huesler and eventually dominated the tiebreak at 7-0. Capitalizing on this momentum, the Polish player swiftly secured a lead in the fourth set at 3-1.
With each successful play, Hurkacz grew stronger, and Huesler’s efficacy dwindled. From 4-3 in the fourth set to a commanding 5-0 in the fifth, Hurkacz secured seven consecutive games. This impressive streak sealed the match in his favor.
Under the guidance of coach Craig Boynton, Hurkacz will take on Jack Draper in the second round. Ranked 123rd in ATP, the British player defeated Radu Albota 6-1, 6-4, 6-3. Hurkacz holds a 2-0 record against Draper from their previous encounters. The upcoming match is set for Thursday.