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World no. 17 Hubert Hurkacz secured his second Masters 1000 crown in Shanghai. The Pole defeated Andrey Rublev 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 in two hours and six minutes, fending off a match point in the tie break and celebrating his most notable title since Miami 2021.
Hubert came to Shanghai with a 32-20 score in 2023, finding his A-game in China and moving to the verge of the top-10 return. Both players served above 70%, firing 34 aces and staying neck and neck from start to finish, with only one point separating them!
The Pole played better behind the first serve, and the Russian responded with more reliable numbers on the second. Hubert saved one out of two break points, and Andrey stayed in contention after denying three out of four break chances.
Hurkacz edged Rublev in the shortest range up to four strokes, and a top-10 star responded in the more advanced exchanges, giving everything and missing that match point. They kicked off the action with five commanding holds before Rublev experienced issues at 2-3.
Hubert Hurkacz is the 2023 Shanghai Masters champion!
The Russian fell on the third break point, as the Pole seized it with a powerful forehand down the line winner. Hubert served well in games seven and nine, wrapping up the opener 6-3 with an ace after 31 minutes.
Andrey served well in the second set, producing five commanding holds and keeping the pressure on the other side. The Russian forged an early advantage with a forehand down the line winner in game two, earning his only break and gaining a boost.
Andrey lost a couple of points by the end of the set, wrapping it up with a service winner at 5-3 to forge a decider after 62 minutes. Hubert wasted game points at 1-1 in the final set and experienced the second and last break point.
The Pole denied it with a booming serve and held with another, keeping himself in contention. They served well in the next six games, and Hubert moved 5-4 up with a forehand down the line winner in game nine. Rublev wasted game points in game ten and faced a match point.
He denied it with an ace down the T line and held for 5-5 and more drama. Two fine holds sent them into a deciding tie break, and Andrey opened a 3-0 gap with a service winner. The Russian led 5-2 before the Pole climbed back to 5-5.
Andrey earned a match point, and Hubert erased it with an ace for 6-6. Rublev denied two match points at 6-7 and 7-8, doing everything to stay alive. Hurkacz landed a service winner for 9-8 and his fourth match point. They embraced an extended rally, and the Pole defended his backhand nicely, forcing the rival's error and celebrating the title.