Hurkacz Halts Murray In Metz
Top seed Hubert Hurkacz continued his push to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals on Friday by overcoming Andy Murray 7-6(4), 6-3 at the Moselle Open. The Polish star moves into his fourth tour-level semi-final of the season.
In a hard-fought first set against the Brit, Hurkacz fended off all three break points he faced and then took his chance in the tie-break to lead. The Pole then raced clear in the second set to advance after one hour and 50 minutes.
“Andy is an unbelievable competitor, he has achieved so much throughout his career,” Hurkacz said. “He is coming back from a tough injury and playing at a very high level, so he is amazing and you can be inspired by his results.”
[FOLLOW ACTION]Hurkacz has enjoyed a strong season, capturing the title in Delray Beach, before winning his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Miami. The top seed is currently ninth in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin as he aims to qualify for the season finale, which will be held at the Pala Alpitour in Turin from 14-21 November.
The 24-year-old now holds a 2-0 lead against Murray in their ATPHead2Head Series, having also defeated the former World No. 1 in Cincinnati last month. Hurkacz will next face Peter Gojowczyk after the German moved past American Marcos Giron 3-6, 6-1, 6-3.
“I really like it here, I enjoy the atmosphere,” Hurkacz added. “I think the surface suits me and I am happy to be in the semi-finals. His [Peter Gojowczyk] recent results are really good, he has improved a lot so it will be an interesting match.”
Murray defeated sixth seed Ugo Humbert and Canadian Vasek Pospisil en route to his first tour-level quarter-final of the season.