Hubert Hurkacz faced off against Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round of the French Open. Despite a courageous performance, Hurkacz fell to Dimitrov, who secured the win with a scoreline of 7-6, 6-4, 7-6.
The first set saw both players showcasing their serving prowess, holding their serves comfortably. Hurkacz nearly broke Dimitrov’s serve, leading 40-0 at one point, but the tenacious Bulgarian fought back each time. The set culminated in a tie-break, where Dimitrov quickly took a 6-3 lead. A visibly frustrated Hurkacz, in a rare display of emotion, twice slammed his racket to the ground. Although Hurkacz saved two set points, he ultimately conceded the tie-break 7-5.
The second set unfolded differently. Hurkacz created an early break opportunity but failed to capitalize. A series of flawless service games ensued, with neither player giving an inch. However, in the seventh game, Dimitrov broke Hurkacz’s serve, exploiting a brief dip in the Pole’s performance, and maintained his lead to win the set 6-4.
The third set was the most dramatic, with Hurkacz breaking back after an early loss of serve. Both players showcased incredible skills, but Dimitrov’s defensive heroics, including diving retrieves that required medical attention for a bleeding hand, stood out. The set went to a tie-break, where Dimitrov triumphed 7-3, marking Hurkacz’s sixth consecutive loss to the Bulgarian and securing Dimitrov’s place in the next round.
Hubert Hurkacz – Grigor Dimitrov 0-3 (6-7, 4-6, 6-7)