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Polish tennis superstar Iga Swiatek congratulated fellow compatriot Hubert Hurkacz on his big day in Shanghai. Hurkacz, 26, lifted his second Masters title on Sunday after beating Andrey Rublev 6-3 3-6 7-6 (8) in the Shanghai Masters final.
In February, Hurkacz won an ATP 250 event in Marseille. The next couple of months weren't great for Hurkacz, who struggled with consistency and didn't do particularly well on the Grand Slam level. "Shanghai (heart emoji). This one feels special.
This season hasn’t been easy but I never stopped believing. Thanks to my family, my team and everyone cheering in the crowds and on tv. Well done Andrey on a great tournament! Thank you Shanghai," Hurkacz said in a message posted on his X account.
Swiatek reacted by writing to Hurkacz in Polish: "Great job, Hubi! Huge congratulations."
Super sprawa Hubi!💪🏼 Ogromne gratulacje ☺️ https://t.co/0DQnWmmcT2 — Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) October 15, 2023
Hurkacz wins Shanghai and receives a congratulatory message from Swiatek
In the third set of the Shanghai final, Hurkacz was inches away from suffering a heartbreaking defeat.
After missing out on a match point in the 10th game of the third set, Hurkacz also found himself 2-5 down to Rublev in the third-set tie-break. Also, Hurkacz faced a match point when Rublev had a 6-5 lead. Fortunately for Hurkacz, he was able to save Rublev's first match point.
Hurkacz then missed out on his second and third match points but finally converted his fourth match point to seal the Shanghai title. "It was such a battle. Especially emotionally. I had a match point and Andrey hit an amazing serve and then he had a match point and then I had some match points.
It was back and forth and such a tricky match. Andrey was playing some great shots. I was trying to respond. It was one of those matches and I kept believing and I am super happy with how I managed at the end. It is such a big tournament and so much tradition.
It is a huge event and I am really happy now," Hurkacz said after the final. This week, Hurkacz is competing at an ATP 500 event in Tokyo.