Hubert Hurkacz reflects on Indian Wells clash against Roger Federer
Rising Polish star Hubert Hurkacz is motivated to keep working hard after getting a shot at Swiss Roger Federer on a big stage.
The 22-year-old's BNP Paribas Open campaign came to an end on Friday.
The Pole fought hard but still lost to five-time champion Federer in the Indian Wells Masters quarter-final 6-4 6-4.
No. 4 seed Federer broke Hurkacz in the fifth game and then held on to his serve to claim the opener.
The Swiss then made a good start to the second set as well, having broken the Pole in the third game.
Hurkacz paid the price for not converting break points in the sixth and 10th game as the former world No. 1 managed to hold on to his serve and clinch a straight-set win.
It was the first-ever meeting between the two.
"Playing on such a huge stadium against Federer, it's just something different. Still, the match wasn't one way throughout the whole match. He was playing really, really well, but still I had some small chances, so also give me the motivation to work and to get there sometime," Hurkacz said post-match, per the tournament's website.
Hurkacz, who is now enjoying his career-high ranking of No. 67 in the world, is set for a new career-high ranking.
The Pole is expected to enter the top-55 in the world when the list gets updated on Monday.
Meanwhile, it is all set for an Indian Wells semi-final between 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer and 17-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.
No. 2 seed Nadal beat Russia's Karen Khachanov in straight sets to reach the semi-final.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2YaOAwO
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