Hurkacz Saves M.P., Survives 3:19 Thriller In Monte-Carlo
Hubert Hurkacz rallied from the brink on Sunday at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, where he clawed past Serbian Laslo Djere 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 7-6(5).
In a tight clash on Court Rainier III, the Pole battled from a set and a break down and saved one match point at 5-6, 30/40 in the third set to earn a thrilling win after three hours and 19 minutes.
"Laslo was playing really good tennis. We were battling," Hurkacz said. "At the end it could have gone either way. I was just trying to be ready for every single point and tried to go when I had situations. I competed well until the end and I am super happy with the victory.
"I think it will make me stronger at the end of the day. I still need to improve a few things from my side, but I am working on them and I need to continue to push and be stronger for the future."
Hurkacz recovered from failing to serve out the match at 5-4 in the third set, converting his fourth match point to earn his 15th win of the season. The 10th seed will next play Sebastian Baez or Jack Draper.
Hurkacz reached the quarter-finals in Monte-Carlo last season, which is his joint-best run at a clay-court ATP Masters 1000 event. He also advanced to the last eight in Rome in 2022.
Nicolas Jarry earned his first win at an ATP Masters 1000 event since 2019 at Indian Wells when he upset 15th seed Borna Coric 6-2, 6-3.
The Chilean, currently No. 57 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, did not face a break point en route to his 78-minute victory. Jarry now holds a 7-15 record against Top 20 opponents.
In the final round of qualifying, Hungarian Marton Fucsovics booked his spot in the main draw, overcoming Filip Krajinovic 6-3, 7-5. Frenchman Ugo Humbert moved past 2019 finalist Dusan Lajovic 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, while #NextGenATP Italian Luca Nardi defeated Oscar Otte 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(4).German Jan-Lennard Struff downed Emil Ruusuvuori 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-0 and Alexei Popyrin beat Benoit Paire 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-4. Ivan Gakhov moved past #NextGenATP Frenchman Luca Van Assche 6-3, 0-6, 6-2, while Ilya Ivashka clawed past Taro Daniel 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-2.
In doubles action, Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev made a winning start, overcoming Jamie Murray and Michael Venus 7-5, 6-4 in 85 minutes. The pair is teaming for the third time this season, having also joined forces in Adelaide and Indian Wells.
Singles stars Diego Schwartzman and Jannik Sinner also advanced, moving past eighth seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 6-3, 1-6, 11-9. The Argentine-Italian team won 84 per cent (26/31) of their first-serve points in their 79-minute win.
Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz reached the second round, downing Cameron Norrie and Ben Shelton 6-2, 6-3.