Australian Open 2023: Hubert Hurkacz vs Denis Shapovalov – Preview, Head-to-Head, and Prediction

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2 years ago

Hubert Hurkacz in action. (Instagram)

10th seed Hubert Hurkacz takes on 20th seed Denis Shapovalov in the third round of the 2023 Australian Open on Friday.

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – FEBRUARY 25: Hubert Hurkacz of Poland hits a return during the semi-final match against Andrey Rublev of Russia during day 12 of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on February 25, 2022, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by David Gray/Getty Images)

Hubert Hurkacz

Hurkacz began the new season by taking part in the 2023 United Cup. He won a couple of matches in the group stages before losing to Matteo Berrettini in the semifinals and Taylor Fritz in the finals.

The Polish star began the Australian Open by defeating Pedro Martinez with relative ease in the first round. The match ended in straight sets 7-6 (7-1), 6-2, 6-2 in favor of Hurkacz. In the second round, Hurkacz had to work very hard to get the better of Lorenzo Sonego in a five-set thriller. The match ended 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 as Hurkacz managed to get through. In the two matches, Hurkacz fired a combined total of 34 aces.

Denis Shapovalov

The Canadian star competed in the Adelaide International 1. He defeated Rinky Hijikata and Roman Safiullin before losing to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals.

Canada’s Denis Shapovalov hits a return against Spain’s Rafael Nadal during their men’s singles quarter-final match on day nine of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 25, 2022. – — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — (Photo by Aaron FRANCIS / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — (Photo by AARON FRANCIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Shapovalov played his first match at the 2023 Australian Open against Dusan Lajovic. The 23-year-old won the match in four sets 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. In the second round, Shapovalov defeated Taro Daniel in straight sets 6-3, 7-6 (7-3), 7-5. Like Hurkacz, Shapovalov has also hit a lot of aces but he has also committed 16 double faults in total in the two matches. The talented youngster will like to keep the number of doubles faults down going forward.