AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 20, 2023

Hubert Hurkacz

Press Conference

H. HURKACZ/D. Shapovalov

7-6, 6-4, 1-6, 4-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Hubie, congratulations. What a roller coaster match. How did you manage to hold your nerve and come back in the fifth?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Yeah, definitely was a little bit of a roller coaster. I was just two sets to love up. Then Denis played some really good tennis.

Yeah, it was tough. It was not easy. But I was trying to compete as hard as I can, and at the end I got a break in the last set. Yeah, I managed to somehow hold my service games at the end.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You have hard, pretty tough match in the second round. Don't you feel it's too early to play against that good player like Denis?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Sorry?

Q. It's too early to play a good player like Shapovalov.

HUBERT HURKACZ: Too early? Sorry, didn't hear.

No (smiling). No, I mean, that's why I was doing pre-season. That's why I was, you know, putting the work in to be ready for those kind of matches.

Yeah, obviously it's a battle out there. Yeah, still feel pretty good.

Q. A funny question. There's an English expression, "the patience of a saint." Did you have to be patient tonight, especially in the third and fourth sets?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Yeah, I was just trying to hang in there. Denis is unbelievable player, great person. Yeah, I was just battling out there, just trying to seek an opportunity.

Q. There are a couple times when you had chances to break him and you didn't. Could have finished a little bit sooner. In your mind, just stay calm as much as you can and wait for the chance?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Yeah, definitely, I was just waiting for my chances. I knew I have to serve better, and I did that in the last set. Still wasn't great, but was good enough.

Yeah, so just battling there, just trying to hang in there and just wait for the opportunity.

Q. In about the fourth or fifth game of the last set, you were being more aggressive and making your shots. How did you turn it around?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Knew I needed to be more aggressive to compete with Denis because obviously he's a great front-foot player. You don't want to let him dictate the game.

Q. Tactically, what is your general approach against Denis? Playing to his backhand?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Yeah, obviously his forehand is very powerful. Want to avoid letting him hit couple of aggressive forehands in a row.