Hurkacz keeps stiff back straight in closing stage

Hubert Hurkacz proved he is eager to give it his all at this week’s Libéma Open. Plagued by a back injury in the closing stages, with the Pole even undergoing a medical timeout, the seeded number five still fought his way past Roberto Bautista Agut: 7-6(2) 6-4.

That eliminated a former champion today, but 2019 tournament winner Adrian Mannarino did reach the second round. The experienced Frenchman outsmarted Christopher O’Connoll 6-1 6-3 and was then spotted still on the training courts. Mannarino plays on Thursday against first seed Daniil Medvedev in an attractive second-round encounter.

Two-time finalist Jordan Thompson had the win up for grabs against Gabriel Diallo, but suffered a slump in the final stages. The over-2-metre Canadian survived two match points and even won 13 of the last 16 points.