By Alberto Amalfi | @Tennis_Now | Sunday, April 7, 2024
Hubert Hurkacz hammered 15 aces against no double faults sweeping Pedro Martinez 6-3, 6-4 to collect his maiden clay championship in Estoril.
Photo credit: Millennium Estoril Open Facebook
Hubert Hurkacz unleashed an immaculate serving day to clean up on clay.
Hurkacz hammered 15 aces against no double faults sweeping Pedro Martinez 6-3, 6-4 to collect his maiden clay championship in Estoril.
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“I’m so happy with my performance today,” said Hurkacz. “I’m proud that I found my serve and that definitely helped me a lot. Pedro is such a great competitor, an amazing battle last night. I needed to play really great tennis to compete with him and fortunately I did it.”
World No. 77 Martinez dethroned defending Estoril champion yesterday, but Hurkacz presented imposing problems in today's final.
The second-seeded Hurkacz won 29 of 35 first-serve points and did not face a break point in a dominant 87-minute triumph. Hurkacz made history as the first Polish man in 42 years to collect an ATP clay-court championship.
Hurkacz dropped just one set in four tournament wins en route to his eighth career ATP title. That came in yesterday's 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 semifinal win over Cristian Garin.
The win propels Hurkacz to No. 8 in the ATP Live Rankings, just 165 points behind Holger Rune for the No. 7 spot.