Hubert Hurkacz overcame Cristian Garin 6-3 3-6 6-3 in their first head-to-head matches in 1 hour and 58 minutes to reach his 10thcareer final and the first on clay at the Millennium Open in Estoril.
Hurkacz won 75% of his first serve points and broke Garin twice in the third set. The Polish player is aiming to win his eighth tour-level this week and his first since the Shanghai Rolex Masters.
Hurkacz converted his third break point in the second game and held at 30 to open up a 3-0 lead. Garin hit back in the second set by breaking in the second set to open up a 3-0 lead. The Chilean player won his next service games and sealed the set with a hold at love. Hurkacz broke twice in the second and sixth games to race out to a 5-1 lead. Garin pulled one break back in the seventh game for 2-5 and put pressure on Hurkacz, who was serving for the match for the second time. Hurkacz served out on his first match point to reach his first clay court final of the season. The Polish player beat Jan Choinski 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 and Spanish qualifier Pablo Llamas Ruiz 7-6 (7-4) 6-4.
“What a surprise. It was definitely a great match. It was a really a great week and it was a tough battle against Cristian today. He is a really great opponent and there were some tough moments, but I really enjoyed the support of the crowd”, said Hurkacz.
Hurkacz set up a final against surprise Pedro Martinez, who came back from one set down to beat Estoril Open defending champion Casper Ruud 6-4 4-6 6-4. Martinez saved nine of the twelve break points she faced.
Ruud wasted two break points in the second game of the first set. Martinez converted his third break point in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead. The Spaniard held on his serve easily to win the first set 6-4.
Ruud saved two break points in the second game of the second set at deuce. The Norwegian player broke serve in the eighth game to take a 5-3 lead. Martinez broke back in the ninth game for 4-5, but Ruud broke again in the 10th game to win the second set 6-4.
Martinez broke twice in the third and fifth games to race out to a 5-1 lead in the third set. The Spaniard wasted two match points at 5-2 on serve and two more match points at 5-3. Ruud converted his sixth break point to take a 5-3 lead. Martinez served out the win on his third match point.
