Hubert Hurkacz's winning streak extended on Friday at the Terra Wortmann Open in Halle, thanks to some unconventional on-court tactics. Hurkacz, the fifth seed, edged Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(2, 7-6(4) in both tie-breaks to reach his third semi-final of the season at the ATP 500 event. After an engrossing one hour, 47 minutes, the Pole won the match, but Hurkacz later revealed that his struggle to break the Canadian's serve had pushed him to attempt something different in return games on OWL Arena.
Hurkacz won his first match against Auger-Aliassime in three tries after reeling off six points in a row from 1/2 in the first-set tie-break. He then kept his cool in the second set to win his first match against Auger-Aliassime in three tries. Hurkacz was relieved to win in such a close match. According to Infosys ATP Stats, the 2021 semi-finalist Auger-Aliassime hit 38 winners to Hurkacz's 23 and won 89 percent (41/46) of points on his first delivery. Nonetheless, the Pole fought off break point and held for 4-3 in the first set, and he played his best tennis in both tie-breaks to win.