Hubert Hurkacz claimed his sixth ATP title at the ATP 250 indoor event in Metz. Hubert defeated hometown favorite Benjamin Bonzi 6-3, 7-6 in an hour and a half for his first ATP trophy since Halle last June.. Bonzi, who lives in Marseille, played in his second ATP final of the season, finishing runner-up despite a valiant effort.
Hubert fired 19 aces and won 41 of 44 first serve points! The Pole defended three of four break points and converted two of five chances. Hurkacz fended off three set points at 5-6 in the second set and emerged on top with a better performance in the tiebreaker.
Hubert kicked off the action with a service winner in the first game of the match, and Benjamin responded in kind in the 1-1 second game. El Poel seized the third game at love with a powerful serve and created the first chance on the return in the next one.
Hubert Hurkacz secured his sixth ATP title in Marseille.
Bonzi broke on second break chance following Hurkacz’s deep comeback to fall behind 3-1. Producing one good hold after another, Hubert built a 4-1 lead with another comfortable service game for a massive lead after 15 minutes.
Benjamin found the rhythm in the return at 2-4 and pulled four points in a row from 30-0 to get back on the bright side. The Pole created a break opportunity with a forehand winner in the eighth game. He capitalized on a 31-shot rally to clinch a break and move to a 5-3 lead.
Hubert serves for the opener in game nine and brings the set home with a forehand game-winning volley for 6-3 in half an hour. There is nothing to tear them apart in the first six games of the second set, holding neck-and-neck at 3-3 before return opportunities from either side.
Bonzi experienced two break points in game seven and denied them with winners to stay on the bright side. They delivered four comfortable holds, and Hurkacz served to stay in the set at 5-6. The Pole faced three set points and played well to deny them.
Hubert saved the first with a forehand winner and obliterated the next two with a powerful shot to survive and gain momentum before the tiebreak. The top-ranked player earned a mini-break on the first point and served well to open a 5-2 gap with a forehand game-winner.
Bonzi got back to 4-5 before Hurkacz picked up match points with exceptional net coverage. Benjamin missed a forehand in the first and Hubert began celebrating his sixth ATP title and first in eight months..
