Hurkacz “hungry for more” ahead of second Grand Slam quarter-final
Hubert Hurkacz looks to pull off another Grand Slam quarter-final upset this week
Hurkacz Australian Open 2024 Panoramic
Almost three years ago, Hubert Hurkacz made his first Grand Slam quarter-final. In it, he pulled off one of the most impressive feats in tennis, defeating Roger Federer at Wimbledon in straight sets.
Now the Pole has made the last eight of another Major, and is hungry for more at the Australian Open this week.
“Definitely, definitely really happy with my performance,” said Hurkacz after his win over French wildcard Arthur Cazaux in the round of 16. “Making it to the quarterfinals, it’s nice, but obviously we’re hungry for more.”
Serve key for Hurkacz in Australian Open success
Against Cazaux in his fourth round clash, Hurkacz won an impressive 91 percent of first serve points. The Pole also landed 11 aces and had a strong 76 percent win rate on his second serve as well.
“I still think I can serve better than I was serving today,” Hurkacz declared after his win over Cazaux.
Since last appearing in a Grand Slam quarter-final, Hurkacz says his “serve has improved”. Not only this, but the 26-year-old is confident that he has a stronger mental game too.
“I would say also mentally (I’ve improved), how to manage myself on the court, to be ready for each point,” explained Hurkacz. “I think that’s been better. Here also things weren’t going my way, [but I’ve] been able to just accept it and be ready.
“I played so many matches in between. Was actually long time ago since I played quarters in a major. Just played so many matches, gained a lot of experience playing on Tour for couple of years, playing against the best players in the world.”
Hurkacz looking forward to Medvedev challenge
Once again, Hurkacz will have a tall order in front of him if he’s to maintain his 100 percent strike rate in Grand Slam quarter-finals. The Pole will face Daniil Medvedev on Wednesday, current world No 3 and one of the best hard court players in the world.
“Daniil is amazing competitor for so many years. He’s been at the top. He was No. 1 in the world. He won a Grand Slam,” said Hurkacz of his upcoming opponent.
“I’m going to give my best. He’s going to give his best. It’s an interesting matchup, I would say.”
Hurkacz leads the head-to-head against Medvedev 3-2, having won their past two meetings. It’s been over a year since they last faced each other, however, with the last match between the two occurring in Halle in 2022.
If the world No 9 is to continue his two-match winning streak against Medvedev, he’ll need to continue bringing his best serving game, while maintaining the kind of baseline aggression he displayed against Cazaux. Do this, and he just might book his spot in yet another Grand Slam semi-final.
