Hubert Hurkacz defeated 29-year-old left-handed Chilean Alejandro Tabilo 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) in the second round of the Montreal tournament. The Polish player, ranked 72nd in ATP, was playing after returning to action on Tuesday following a one-month break, having previously beaten American Marcos Giron 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 in the first round at a venue where he once reached the final.
Hurkacz started poorly against the 26th-ranked Tabilo, losing his serve in the third game to trail 1-2. He quickly recovered the break and broke Tabilo again at 5-4 to take the opening set 6-4.
The second set remained tight until the end. Hurkacz wasted two match points while leading 6-5. A Polsat Sport commentator said after the first match point that it was a pity Hubert committed an error after such a well-played rally.
The set went to a tie-break, which opened with an ace by Hurkacz and a double fault from Tabilo. Hurkacz built a 5-1 lead following an unforced backhand error by Tabilo, before converting his fourth match point to win the tie-break 7-4.
Match statistics and next opponent
A Polsat Sport commentator noted that it was a very good match and a solid performance by Hurkacz, adding that the better player won without doubt. The 2021 Wimbledon semifinalist hit 16 aces and won 90 percent of points on his first serve, compared to two aces and 65 percent for Tabilo. Hurkacz also recorded 43 winners to Tabilo's 17 and committed 27 unforced errors to his opponent's 24.
Hurkacz advances to the third round, where he will play the winner of the match between sixth-ranked Daniil Medvedev of Russia and 70th-ranked Botic Van De Zandschulp of the Netherlands.
