ATP Masters Miami: Hubert Hurkacz crowns himself Masters champion after defeating Jannik Sinner
Hubert Hurkacz won his first title in this category at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Miami. The Pole defeated 19-year-old Jannik Sinner 7: 6 (4) and 6: 4 in the final on Sunday (you can read the match in the live ticker here! ).
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Apr 04, 2021, 08:58 pm
The final pairing at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Miami could not have been much more surprising. After the cancellations of Djokovic, Nadal, Thiem, Federer & Co, the early and surprising defeats of Zverev, Medvedev and Tsitsipas, it was the two youngsters Hubert Hurkacz and Jannik Sinner who took advantage of the opening opportunity and with strong performances against Andrey Rublev and Roberto Bautista Agut bought the final ticket.
It was clear even before the first rally: A new Masters champion would be crowned in Miami in 2021. And it could be as young as it has been in a long time. At the age of just 19, Sinner, who only celebrated his first title on the ATP tour in autumn of the previous year, had the chance to strike the second highest tournament category for the first time.
Hurkacz starts stronger
However, Hubert Hurkacz got off to a better start in this final, who made the first break of the game to make it 2-0 after a sloppy service game by the South Tyrolean. In a moderate initial phase, it was the Pole who was able to put his stamp on the game - especially since Sinner got off to a somewhat nervous start. A nervousness that the South Tyrolean put aside with his game win to 1: 3 and with a great game and a world class return in front of Hurkacz's feet managed the rebreak to 2: 3.
This was followed by competitive service games in which both players had (half) chances of breaking but were unable to use them. Up to the score of 5: 5, Sinner increased the number of strokes again in this game, and with a remarkable backhand longline winner he earned two breakballs, of which he was the first after a backhand error in the world rankings 37. also knew how to exploit.
Sinner with self-fallers
Moments later you could see that the biggest career title for the teenager was up for grabs in this game: With four unforced mistakes in a row, the Italian "gave" his Polish counterpart almost a zero rebreak - a tie-break had to be so bring the decision. In this, the Pole took full advantage of the momentum and - thanks in part to some mistakes by Jannik Sinner - quickly earned four set balls, of which he knew how to use number three after a forehand error by the South Tyrolean.
This trend continued into the second round. Hubert Hurkacz continued to benefit from Jannik Sinner, who was too prone to errors, and took the break advantage in the first game of the second set. At Sinner, on the other hand, the thread seemed to be completely torn, and Hurkacz found two break chances in the Italian's next service game - the first of which was the 37th world ranking. could also use the same.
Hurkacz wobbles
Hubert Hurkacz, on the other hand, slowly but surely played his way into a run, dominated the action in Florida and brought his buddy Jannik Sinner more and more towards a downright debacle. The South Tyrolean braced himself against the defeat and made it through his serve again at 0: 4 and at least made up for a break moments later with a strong setback game.
The Pole really seemed to have to struggle with himself, was far from the sovereignty with which he had started the second round. After Sinner was able to cut back to 3: 4, Hurkacz managed to win the all-important game on his own serve. The 24-year-old was still missing one game for his biggest career title. In the end, the Pole should succeed in doing this, with his own serve made the world number 37. the 7: 6 (4) and 6: 4 success perfect.
Hurkacz new world number 16.
With this, Jannik Sinner missed another major milestone in his career at the age of only 19. For Hubert Hurkacz, on the other hand, it is the first title at this level in his first final in the ATP Masters 1000 category. The world number 37. will be ranked 16th in the world after his third title on the ATP Tour on Monday - a new personal best for the 24-year-old.