Polish journalists in Tokyo on Sunday waited for a very exciting match in the men’s tournament. Hubert Hurkacz, a semi-finalist at last Wimbledon, was scheduled to face quarter-finalist Marton Fukowicz from London, in the first round. Hungary withdrew from the event in the Japanese capital at the last minute due to a shoulder injury, and was replaced by Australian Luke Savile.

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Easier competitor in theory

On paper, this was a positive change for Hurkacz. Savile is a typical player in doubles, in the doubles rankings he is ranked 32nd, and in singles 417th. Pole, after Wimbledon, advanced near the top ten in the ATP, and is today 12th in the world. Our tennis player was an obvious candidate, and that wouldn’t be the case against Fucsovics (38th ATP), with whom he played twice, losing both games.

However, Hurkacz’s advantage in the ranking had to be confirmed in court. He quickly got down to her, breaking the Australian twice in the first set. The match ended with a score of 6: 2. The 24-year-old Pole played with confidence, served well, overcoming his opponent with physical strength. In the second set he finished the action with a 6:4 win. It was the 24-year-old’s successful Olympic debut as a single.

Hubert Hurkacz deserves an applause. True, fate smiled at him, which theoretically made the strongest Vosovich withdraw from the tournament, but luck had to be taken advantage of. Furthermore, such a late change of opponent did not distract him. The Pole was clearly better than the Australian.

The first world record in the Tokyo Olympics. She is in the final. goldThe first world record in the Tokyo Olympics. She is in the final. gold

Fatal conditions in Tokyo

The encounter with Hurkacz from S ± ville took place in fatal circumstances. Temperature? 33 degrees in the shade, and even felt like 37 degrees, maybe a dozen more in the sun. In addition, the second court in Tokyo does not provide even a small portion of shade (only awnings in the interval between games). Pole and Australian put ice on each other during breaks. An hour ago, during a match between Magda Lynet and Arina Sabalenka, one of the ball-sending girls collapsed.

Hurkacz’s second-round opponent in Tokyo will be the best of the duo: Liam Brody (142. ATP, Great Britain) – Francisco Cerondolo (116. ATP, Argentina). The 24-year-old from Wroclaw was eliminated from the doubles competition on Saturday. Together with ukasz Kubot, they turned out to be the weakest of the German doubles Alexander Zverev – Jan-Lennard Struve.