Shanghai Masters: Hubert Hurkacz defeats Andrey Rublev to clinch second Masters Title

Hubert Hurkacz fended off a match point in the third-set tie brake to defeat Andrey Rublev 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (8) and win the Shanghai Masters on Sunday in China.

The 26-year-old has now captured seven tour-level titles, with his triumph in Shanghai his second ATP Masters 1000 triumph. He also lifted the trophy in Miami in 2021, defeating Jannik Sinner in the final.

“It was such a battle,” said Hurkacz. “Especially emotionally. I had a match point and Andrey hit an amazing serve and then he had a match point and then I had some match points. It was back and forth and such a tricky match. Andrey was playing some great shots. I was trying to respond. It was one of those matches and I kept believing and I am super happy with how I managed at the end.

“It is such a big tournament and so much tradition. It is a huge event and I am really happy now.”

With his 39th win of the season, Hurkacz improved to 3-2 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series, while he propelled himself to 11th in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin. He is just 335 points behind Holger Rune, who currently occupies the all-important eighth position. Hurkacz is aiming to make his second appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals, having qualified in 2021.