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Hubert Hurkacz expressed hope that Roger Federer enjoyed watching his Shanghai Masters final win over Andrey Rublev. On Sunday, No 16 seed Hurkacz saved a match point en route to edging out fifth-seeded Rublev 6-3 3-6 7-6 (8) for his second Masters title in Shanghai.
Federer, who was honored as the Icon Athlete of the 2023 Shanghai Masters on Friday, following the final from the stands. "Hopefully Roger enjoyed the match as well," Hurkacz said after the final, via Jose Morgado.
Hurkacz.
"Hopefully Roger enjoyed the match as well." — José Morgado (@josemorgado) October 15, 2023
Hurkacz hopes Federer enjoyed watching the Shanghai Masters final
In the first set, Hurkacz earned the first break in the sixth game and then held on to his service for the remainder of the set to clinch the opener.
Rublev bounced back at the start of the second set as he opened an early 3-0 lead before serving out for the set in the ninth game. In the 10th game of the third set - with Hurkacz leading 5-4 and Rublev serving to stay in the final - the Pole had his first match point but the Russian saved it.
The set eventually went into a tie-break, where Rublev had his first match point at 6-5 - the Pole saved that match point. Hurkacz then missed out on two more match points, before finally converting his fourth match point to complete a three-set win over Rublev after over two hours of play.
"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 beating Rublev.