Karatsev ousts Hurkacz as race to Turin heats up

Aslan Karatsev ousted and Hubert Hurkacz won the battle for an ATP finals spot, winning 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 in their San Diego Open clash on Thursday.

The Russian currently sits 12th, with Hurkacz eighth and Casper Ruud ninth.

Karatsev lost there first set to the Pole but is amazing array of power turned to match around, grabbing the second set before easing past last week’s Metz champion in two hours and 28 minutes.

“I try not to think about it,” Karatsev said.

“I just try to compete every tournament, every match, practise every day. In the end, we will see who is going to be in Turin.

“It was a good match, a tough opponent… [Hurkacz] just came from a big win in France.

“The first set I had an opportunity, had some easy mistakes in the important moments to close the set. I didn’t get those chances.

“I found a way in the second set to break him at 3-3 and was playing better and better… I continued to play [well] in the third set.

“I broke him immediately in the third set. I think I played aggressive, too. It’s really important against this kind of player to dictate the point, because he’s really good on defence.”

Karatsev will next play Grigor Dimitrov or qualifier August Holmgren.