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World no. 19 Felix Auger-Aliassime defended his Basel title, beating Hubert Hurkacz 7-6, 7-6 in an hour and 52 minutes. The Canadian skilled many robust losses in 2023 earlier than getting every thing collectively in Basel, prevailing over Alexander Shevchenko within the quarter-final and repeating that on Sunday in opposition to his good good friend.
The end result was tight, however Felix had the higher hand over Hubert, profitable 18 factors greater than his former doubles accomplice. The Canadian dropped solely 9 factors behind the preliminary shot, by no means going through a break level and maintaining the stress on the opposite aspect.
Hurkacz struggled on the second serve and performed in opposition to 5 break factors, saving them however shedding the important thing factors within the tie breaks to settle with the runner-up prize. They landed virtually 60 service winners and fired extra winners than unforced errors.
Auger-Aliassime had 37 direct factors and 14 unforced errors, beating Hurkacz’s 28-17 ratio.
Felix Auger-Aliassime took down Hubert Hurkacz in two tie breaks in Basel.
Felix had the higher hand within the shortest, mid-range and most superior exchanges, incomes the title and enhancing his season.
Hubert constructed a 40-0 lead within the encounter’s fourth recreation earlier than dropping 4 straight factors and going through a break level after Felix’s drop shot winner. The Pole denied it with a smash winner on the internet and prevented an early setback.
Felix grabbed the ninth recreation at 15, and Hubert served to remain within the set within the subsequent one. Hurkacz closed the sport with a service winner, extending the battle and including extra drama. The set reached a tie break, and the primary mini-break got here within the seventh level when Felix positioned a winner on the internet for 4-3.
The Canadian landed two winners on serve within the following two factors, creating three set factors. Auger-Aliassime positioned a deep return on the primary, wrapping up the opener in an hour. The servers barely misplaced a few factors within the second set’s opening eight video games, reaching 4-4 very quickly.
Hubert confronted two break factors within the ninth recreation, denying them and holding to stay on the optimistic aspect. Felix served effectively and stored the stress on the opposite aspect, creating two extra break possibilities at 5-5. The Pole erased them with winners and extended the battle till the tie break.
Auger-Aliassime led 4-2 earlier than Hurkacz bounced again and opened a 5-4 hole with an ace. Felix grabbed two factors on his serve, making a match level with a forehand winner. The Canadian transformed it with a pointy backhand return, rising excessive and celebrating his first ATP title after a 12 months.
