Hubert Hurkacz survived a scare against #NextGenATP Swiss Leandro Riedi at the Open Provence 13 on Thursday to reach his first tour-level quarter-final of the season.
In a hard-fought clash in Marseille, the top-seeded Pole produced a strong serving performance in the second and third sets to earn a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory at the ATP 250 event.
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The World No. 11, who is making his third appearance at the hard-court tournament, won 100 per cent (24/24) of his first-serve points in the second and third sets, overpowering the 21-year-old Riedi to triumph after one hour and 49 minutes.
“Leandro can play at a super high level and he started well. It was a battle. He won the first set and was playing really well, but I was just trying to compete,” Hurkacz said in his on-court interview. “The crowd is amazing, it is so nice. It is so much fun.
“I have been training really well the whole year. Everything has been going well. I just need some results, so maybe here.”
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Hurkacz will continue the quest for his sixth tour-level title when he plays Mikael Ymer in the quarter-finals. The Swede received a walkover from sixth seed David Goffin.
Riedi was competing against a Top 15 opponent for the first time after defeating Arthur Rinderknech in the first round. The 21-year-old, who won two ATP Challenger Tour titles in 2022, is up nine places to No. 124 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings.
Third seed Alex de Minaur moved on with a 6-3, 6-3 victory against Switzerland United Cup team member Alexander Ritschard. The Australian, who saved the one break point he faced, will take on Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi for a place in the semi-finals.
“It’s never easy. It’s always a new week, so starting in new conditions,” De Minaur said. “But very happy with my performance. Very happy to play here in a packed arena, so looking forward to my next one.”
#NextGenATP Frenchman Arthur Fils advanced to the quarter-finals when second seed Jannik Sinner withdrew ahead of their match due to illness. The 18-year-old will next play a man more than twice his age, 37-year-old Stan Wawrinka, the former World No. 3.