It was ultimately Hubert Hurkacz who got the better of Nick Kyrgios. The Pole defeated the Australian, player of the hour on the circuit, in three sets of 7-6 (4), 6-7 (5) and 6-1, Friday afternoon, at the National Bank Open .
Posted at 2:12 p.m.
The door therefore opens wide for Félix Auger-Aliassime, in the event that he manages to dismiss Casper Ruud from his path this afternoon, in the quarter-finals.
Kyrgios, however, seemed unshakable so far in the tournament. He appeared on center court at Stade IGA with 15 wins in his last 16 games and as one of the favorites of the Montreal crowd.
Surprisingly, the diversity of his shots may have cost him the first set. A few times, he attempted drop shots that ended up in the net. Cap from behind, the Australian made the crowd react by moving his opponent from one side to the other.
The first round had to be decided by a tiebreaker, won by Hurkacz in the 38e minute of play. The duel was going at high speed, Kyrgios rushing for his serves in just a few seconds.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
It was in the third round that things went wrong and Kyrgios’ character resurfaced. Hurkacz, in control, completed a first break of service to take a 2-0 lead. In the next game, after two aces from his opponent, Kyrgios stopped playing, looking demoralized.
The fight continued in the second set as both players continued to excel on serve. At 1-1, Hurkacz missed two break points. In the tiebreaker, Kyrgios had to fight for his survival. And he got there.
After two sets, Hurkacz had won 84% of his first serves and Kyrgios, 82%. The Pole had scored 13 aces, the Australian 17.
It was in the third round that things went wrong and Kyrgios’ character resurfaced. Hurkacz, in control, completed a first break of service to take a 2-0 lead. In the next game, after two aces from his opponent, Kyrgios stopped trying, looking demoralized.
A few boos were heard, but the crowd was quick to cheer their pet on again. “Keep fighting, Nick,” shouted a man in the stands. But everything suddenly seemed difficult for the Australian, who committed 6 double faults and 11 unforced errors in this set alone.
Hurkaz, 10e world, ultimately won it in seven games. He will face the winner of the duel between Félix Auger-Aliassime and Casper Ruud in the semi-finals on Saturday.