​Hubert Gurkach won one of the most important titles of his career at the Shanghai Masters, but the athlete from Poland could not keep up the pace and exited the tournament in Tokyo (ATP 500) in the opening round.

Hubert GurkachPhoto: Hector RETAMAL / AFP / Profimedia

>> Hubert Gurkach, Shanghai Masters champion

Hubert Gurkach defeated Zhizhen Zhang at ATP in Tokyo

Gurkach, who is ranked 11th in the world, lost in three sets to China’s Zhizhen Zhang (57 ATP), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(4).

Zhang, who works with physiotherapist Yulia Moldovan, will face Aslan Karatsev (50 ATP) in the last 16 after the Russian defeated American Francis Tiafoe (14 ATP, 6 favourite) 6-3, 7-6(4) .

Know:

  • On October 10, Hubert defeated Zhizheng in the round of 16 of the Shanghai Masters, 7-6(6), 4-6, 7-6(4).
  • After this defeat, Gurkach’s chances to get to the Tournament of Champions are getting smaller and smaller.

The Japan Open will be held from October 16 to 22 on hard, is part of the ATP 500 category and has a total prize pool of $2,013,940. The reigning champion is Taylor Fritz, the American is also the top favorite in 2023.