Hurkacz can’t solve Alcaraz, as the Spaniard reaches his first indoor final in Rotterdam

Hubert Hurkacz has always competed well with Carlos Alcaraz. The pair’s first three meetings featured five tiebreaks and their last meeting saw the 6’6” Pole hold a match point before falling to Alcaraz in three sets in the Cincinnati semifinals in 2023.

A tight, compelling battle was once again on the menu on Saturday in Rotterdam. And, once again, it was Alcaraz who delivered the decisive blows to earn the hard-fought victory.

The Spaniard notched a 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3 victory that represents Alcaraz’s first-ever trip to an indoor final, and his 22nd ATP final overall.

“I’m just really happy, I think we both played at such a high level – it was a great match,” Alcaraz said on court after his win.

The 21-year-old will bid for the title on Sunday against Australia’s Alex de Minaur, and he’ll be ready for anything after the barrage he faced today.

A THRILLING BATTLE

Saturday’s fourth meeting between Alcaraz and Hurkacz was an electric tilt that showcased gob-smacking tennis from both players, particularly in a rousing opening set that had the fans on the edge of their seat as Hurkacz jumped out to an early 4-1 lead. 

The No 8-seeded Pole came out of the gate with an aggressive mindset. He attacked with his forehand and showcased his wealth of shotmaking abilities. But Alcaraz answered the bell. The Spaniard was down 4-1, 0-40 at one point, but he rallied, taking the final five games of the set. 

“I just fought, every ball, until the end, that’s all I was thinking about,” Alcaraz said. “In the end I knew that I was going to have my chances. His level at the time was unbelievable. I’m really happy that I fought for every ball and saved the break points that I had that [would have put me] 5-1 down.”

It may have been a difficult blow to take, especially for a player that has been jilted by Alcaraz so many times, but it didn’t stop Hurkacz. He had his back against the wall with Alcaraz serving at 5-4 in the second set tiebreak, but the Spaniard balked, chucked in an ill-timed double-fault, and dropped the final three points of the set. 

It was time for a decider, and the momentum had once again shifted — or had it?

Not blinking, even for a second, Alcaraz quickly took control of the final set, breaking for two nothing and consolidating for 3-0. He was once again in charge, unfazed, and thriving in the pressure moments. 

Hurkacz would get on the board, but he would never find level footing again in this contest. 

More to follow…

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