Metz (AFP)
The Polish Hubert Hurkacz (13th in the ATP ranking) dominated the Briton Andy Murray (113th) in two sets 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, Friday in the quarter-finals of the Moselle Open at the Arènes de Metz.
Even though the Scotsman saved a break point in the first game and Hurkacz three in the eighth, neither player managed to take the lead in the first set and the difference was in the tie-break.
The seeded N.1 negotiated it better than Murray: the Pole quickly took the throw-in from his opponent (3-1), the latter also making a double fault to offer him four balls of round (6-2) to finally win 7 points to 4 after 1:07 of play.
The second set was more quickly concluded with surgical strikes from Hurkacz, who also unhooked thirteen aces.
The Pole took the commitment of the former world No.1 in the fourth game (3-1) to conclude the set 6-3 with his third match point in 44 minutes.
“It's frustrating to lose. I still had opportunities that I couldn't take. I'm not saying I deserved to win, especially since he served really well in the second set. I had several chances in the first so I'm disappointed, "said the Scot.
"I played better this week than in Winston-Salem or Cincinnati (in August). But I'm not interested in playing well and losing. I want to win these kinds of matches, especially when I have opportunities. ... But it's true that I was more consistent this week, "he added.
In the semifinals, Hurkacz will be opposed to the German Peter Gojowczyk (101st), resulting from the qualifications and who beat the American Marcos Giron (69th) in three sets (3-6, 6-1, 6-3).
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