ATP Dubai: Bresnik student Shevchenko scrapes past sensation
Alexander Shevchenko , coach Günter Bresnik's protégé, missed a surprise in round one of the ATP Tour 500 tournament in Dubai. The lucky loser lost against Hubert Hurkacz 6: 3, 3: 6 and 6: 7 (7).
by Jens Huiber
last edit:
Feb 28, 2023, 10:03 pm
His protégé is not yet ready for such a big task as the match against Dominic Thiem. Günter Bresnik explained that last summer before the first round encounter in Kitzbühel between Alexander Shevchenko and the US Open champion 2020. And in fact, Thiem proved to be too strong in front of a full house at the Generali Open.
Only a few fans were found in Dubai on Tuesday for the last first-round match at the traditional ATP Tour 500 tournament, who followed the game between Shevchenko and Hurkacz until half past twelve in the morning. But these viewers got their money's worth.
Because Shevchenko defended himself brilliantly against Hurkacz, who was fifth seeded, even managed to make a comeback when the Pole, still champion on Sunday in Marseille, served at a score of 5: 4 to qualify for the round of 16.
In the tiebreak, Shevchenko, who had come into the 32 grid as a lucky loser, then fended off two more match points. But then had to give up with 7:9.