Hurkacz wins tough Tokyo opener

Hubert Hurkacz earned an important win in his quest to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals on Wednesday at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships, where he clawed past American Marcos Giron 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4 to reach the second round in Tokyo.

The Pole arrives at the ATP 500 hard-court event 13th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, needing strong runs during the Asian swing to boost his faint Nitto ATP Finals hopes.

Competing in Asia for the first time since winning his second ATP Masters 1000 title in Shanghai last year, the 27-year-old recovered from squandering a break advantage in the second set against Giron to advance in a tight decider after two hours and eight minutes.

Victory No. 40 of the season ✅@HubertHurkacz kicks off his Tokyo run, fighting past Giron 6-4 6-7(5) 6-4!@japanopentennis | #kinoshitajotennis pic.twitter.com/3SKgAYFIg8

Hurkacz now trails eighth-placed Alex de Minaur by 665 points in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. The Australian, who occupies the final qualification spot, is currently sidelined by injury.

With his 40th tour-level win of the season, Hurkacz improved to 3-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Giron. The second seed will aim to continue his run in Japan, where he next meets US Open semi-finalist Jack Draper or Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci.

[NEWSLETTER FORM]