Hubert Hurkacz started the 2023 season in the Top 10 on the ATP Tour, and despite losing the spot, he's on his way back with title at the Marseille Open.
The Pole played three five-set matches in Melbourne but eventually lost to Sebastian Korda in the fourth round. Then, he lost his second match in Rotterdam before signing up for the 2023 Marseille Open 13 Provence.
Hurkacz defeated Leandro Riedi, Mikael Ymer, and Alexander Bublik on his way to the final before taking on home player Benjamin Bonzi, who had probably the best week of his career at the ATP 250 tournament on home soil.
The two met already before as Hurkacz defeated Bonzi at the ATP Challenger event in 2018. This time, he wanted to do the same and win his first title of the season in Marseille.
The match started well for Hurkacz as he got the first break of the first set. The world no. 11 led 4-1, but he soon lost a part of his lead as Bonzi broke back. But the Frenchman couldn't keep his advantage, and eventually, Hurkacz broke once more to win the first set 6-3.
The second set was much more closely contested. First, Hurkacz had two break points in the seventh game, but he couldn't use his chances. A few games later, Bonzi had three break points, which were also set points, but he also couldn't use his chances, so the set had to be decided in a tie-break.
Hurkacz got the first mini-break, and he never lost his advantage thanks to his very precise and powerful service, as both players held their serves. Eventually, the Pole won 6-3, 7-6(4) in an hour and 30 minutes to claim his first ATP title of the season, and secure very important 250 ATP ranking points.
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