Australian Open: Hurkacz and Khachanov after thriller victories in the round of 16
Hubert Hurkacz and Karen Khachanov have reached the round of 16 at the Australian Open with spectacular victories.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jan 20, 2023, 01:17 pm
Hurkacz had to face Denis Shapovalov in the first match of the night session at Margaret Court Arena. In the first set, the Canadian would have had all the trumps in his hand after a break, Hurkacz won this in the tie-break and the second as well. But then Shapovalov started the big comeback and saved himself in the fifth set. After a playing time of 3:37 hours, Hurkacz retained the upper hand with 7: 6 (4), 6: 4, 1: 6, 4: 6 and 6: 3. The Pole now meets either Daniil Medvedev or Sebastian Korda.
Karen Khachanov and Frances Tiafoe also delivered a great drama, even if "only" over four sentences. However, there was not much missing from the full distance, because Khachanov won the duel between two US Open semifinalists from last year 6: 3, 6: 4, 3: 6 and 7: 6 (9).
Earlier in the day, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Jannik Sinner, Félix Auger-Aliassime, Yoshihito Nishioka and Czech surprise man Jiri Lehecka had already secured their spots in the round of 16.
Here is the men's individual tableau
laver arena