Hurkacz rallies to reach Montreal final

A day after ending Nick Kyrgios’s run, Hubert Hurkacz has battled back from a set and a break down to beat Casper Ruud 5-7 6-3 6-2 and reach the Canadian Masters final in Montreal.

Polish world No.10 Hurkacz raced out to a 3-0 lead in the first set before world No.7 Ruud regrouped, delivering a forehand winner to secure the break and a 6-5 lead.

An unreturnable serve in the next game secured the set for the Norwegian, who threatened to run away with the match when he broke Hurkacz to open the second set.

But Hurkacz responded with a break of his own and an emphatic overhead winner to take a 4-2 advantage and he levelled the contest at a set apiece with an exquisite drop shot.

In the first game of the decider, Ruud squandered a 40-0 lead and was ultimately broken, which shifted momentum firmly in Hurkacz’s favour.

The match felt all but over when Hurkacz smashed a backhand crosscourt winner to go up a double break, pumping his fist in celebration.

The 25-year-old will face the winner between Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta and Briton Dan Evans in Sunday’s final.

All of the eighth-seeded Hurkacz’s wins at the Masters 1000 tournament in Montreal have gone the distance.