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The Hungarian Marton Fucsovics has been ranked inside the top-100 for almost five and a half years. Former world no. 31 left the mentioned group for a couple of weeks in the closing stages of the previous season before getting back to secure his sixth year-end top-100 finish.
Marton kicked off the 2023 season with the Challenger title in Canberra, beating an in-form Swiss Leandro Riedi in the title clash. The Hungarian collected 100 points and came to the Australian Open following the qualifying exit at the Adelaide 2 event.
Fucsovics faced Federico Coria in the opening round in Melbourne and produced a thrilling 4-6, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6, 6-2 victory in four hours and 17 minutes. Coria led 4-2 in the fourth set and stood two points away from the finish line in the tie break.
Marton stayed focused, clinched the tie break and dominated the decider to secure a massive victory and make a proper celebration.
Marton Fucsovics celebrated a tight Australian Open victory.
Tired but pumped, Fucsovics shook hands with his rival and took off his shirt to show an incredible upper body.
The Hungarian played better behind the first and second serve and stood as a more aggressive player. There were 38 break points (!!), and they both earned seven return games to stay neck and neck. The encounter kicked off with back-to-back breaks.
Coria found the rhythm after that and grabbed his second return game at 5-4 to wrap up the set and build the advantage. The Hungarian lost serve in the second set's second game to find himself 3-0 down and in a challenging situation.
Marton broke back in game five and settled into a good rhythm behind the initial shot. He squandered break chances in the seventh game and created more at 5-5. Federico got broken and pushed the rival 6-5 in front. Fucsovics served for the set in game 12 and wasted four set points.
The Hungarian erased three break points and finally clinched the set on his fifth set point for a massive boost. Coria made a fresh start in the third set, serving well and breaking the opponent in games four and eight to wrap it up 6-2 and move closer to the finish line.
The Argentine led 2-0 in the fourth set before the Hungarian pulled the break back and extended his chances. Marton lost serve at love in game six and stood two games away from the exit door. He broke back in the next one, and they served well in the remaining games to introduce a tie break.
Coria was two points away from victory at 5-5 and 6-6, but it was not to be for him. Fucsovics won the breaker 8-6 to force a decider and gather a massive boost. The Hungarian served well in the fifth set and broke the rival in games two and eight to emerge at the top.