Google News
World no. 19 Felix Auger-Aliassime defended his Basel title, beating Hubert Hurkacz 7-6, 7-6 in an hour and 52 minutes. The Canadian experienced many tough losses in 2023 before getting everything together in Basel, prevailing over Alexander Shevchenko in the quarter-final and repeating that on Sunday against his good friend.
The result was tight, but Felix had the upper hand over Hubert, winning 18 points more than his former doubles partner. The Canadian dropped only nine points behind the initial shot, never facing a break point and keeping the pressure on the other side.
Hurkacz struggled on the second serve and played against five break points, saving them but losing the key points in the tie breaks to settle with the runner-up prize. They landed almost 60 service winners and fired more winners than unforced errors.
Auger-Aliassime had 37 direct points and 14 unforced mistakes, beating Hurkacz's 28-17 ratio.
Felix Auger-Aliassime took down Hubert Hurkacz in two tie breaks in Basel.
Felix had the upper hand in the shortest, mid-range and most advanced exchanges, earning the title and improving his season.
Hubert built a 40-0 lead in the encounter's fourth game before dropping four straight points and facing a break point after Felix's drop shot winner. The Pole denied it with a smash winner at the net and avoided an early setback.
Felix grabbed the ninth game at 15, and Hubert served to stay in the set in the next one. Hurkacz closed the game with a service winner, extending the battle and adding more drama. The set reached a tie break, and the first mini-break came in the seventh point when Felix placed a winner at the net for 4-3.
The Canadian landed two winners on serve in the following two points, creating three set points. Auger-Aliassime placed a deep return on the first, wrapping up the opener in an hour. The servers barely lost a couple of points in the second set's opening eight games, reaching 4-4 in no time.
Hubert faced two break points in the ninth game, denying them and holding to remain on the positive side. Felix served well and kept the pressure on the other side, creating two more break chances at 5-5. The Pole erased them with winners and prolonged the battle until the tie break.
Auger-Aliassime led 4-2 before Hurkacz bounced back and opened a 5-4 gap with an ace. Felix grabbed two points on his serve, creating a match point with a forehand winner. The Canadian converted it with a sharp backhand return, emerging over the top and celebrating his first ATP title after a year.