World No.10 Hubert Hurkacz storms into Canadian Open final: Trying to take every single opportunity

World number 10 Hubert Hurkacz came from behind to beat number seven Casper Ruud 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 and reach the Canadian Open final.

Hurkacz of Poland raced to take a 3-0 lead in the first set before Norwegian Ruud regrouped himself and delivered a forehand winner to take a 6-5 lead. In the next game, an unreturnable serve ensured the set for Ruud, who also threatened Hurkacz to take away the match when he broke him to open the second set.

However, the Pole responded with a break to take a 4-2 lead and levelled the match. During the first game of the decider, Ruud took a 40-0 lead before being broken, which in turn shifted the momentum in Hurkacz’s favour. The Pole then smashed a backhand and crosscourt winner to go up a double break and wrap up the things.

“Casper was playing really well. He was the better player for the first half of the match,” Hurkacz was quoted as saying. “I was just searching for opportunities, just trying to take every single opportunity to get ahead in the rally and make him uncomfortable. Obviously, serve helped at the end.”

In his six finals appearances, Hurkacz has ended up on the winning side five times. “I was fortunate to win the first few finals. But tomorrow is going to be new match. It’s going to be a very tricky one and tough one.”

Hurkacz will meet either Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain or Great Britain’s Dan Evans in the finals of the Masters 1000 tournament in Montreal.

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