Hubert Hurkacz claimed his sixth ATP title at the ATP 250 indoor event in Metz. Hubert defeated the home favorite Benjamin Bonzi 6-3, 7-6 in an hour and a half for his first ATP trophy since Halle last June. Bonzi, who lives in Marseille, played his second ATP final of the season and ended runner-up despite a valiant effort.
Hubert fired 19 aces and won 41 out of 44 points behind the first serve! The Pole defended three out of four break points and grabbed two breaks from five opportunities. Hurkacz fended off three set points at 5-6 in the second set and emerged at the top with a better performance in the tie break.
Hubert kicked off the action with a service winner in the encounter’s opening game, and Benjamin responded in the same way in game two for 1-1. The Poel grabbed the third game at love with a powerful serve and created the first chance on the return in the next one.
Hubert Hurkacz secured his sixth ATP title in Marseille.
Bonzi got broken on the second break chance following Hurkacz’s deep return to fall 3-1 behind. Producing one good hold after another, Hubert built a 4-1 advantage with another comfortable service game for a massive advantage after 15 minutes.
Benjamin found the rhythm on the return at 2-4 and took four straight points from 30-0 down to return to the positive side. The Pole created a break chance with a forehand winner in game eight. He seized a 31-shot rally to secure a break and move 5-3 in front.
Hubert serves for the opener in game nine and brings the set home with a forehand drive-volley winner for 6-3 in half an hour. There is nothing to separate them in the second set’s opening six games, staying neck and neck at 3-3 before the return chances on each side.
Bonzi experienced two break points in game seven and denied them with winners to remaining on the positive side. They delivered four comfortable holds, and Hurkacz served to stay in the set at 5-6. The Pole faced three set points and played well to deny them.
Hubert saved the first with a forehand winner and erased the next two with powerful hitting to survive and gain a boost ahead of the tie break. The better-ranked player earned a mini-break in the first point and served well to open a 5-2 gap with a forehand volley winner.
Bonzi returned to 4-5 before Hurkacz earned match points with exceptional net coverage. Benjamin missed a forehand on the first, and Hubert started to celebrate his sixth ATP title and the first in eight months.
