Australian Open 2024: end of the adventure for Arthur Cazaux, stopped in the round of 16 by Hubert Hurkacz

Arthur Cazaux stoppé en huitièmes de finale de l'Open d'Australie. MAXPPP – LUKAS COCH

Le jeune Français Arthur Cazaux, 122e mondial à 21 ans, a été stoppé en huitièmes de finale de l'Open d'Australie par le N.9 mondial Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 lundi.

Before the Australian fortnight, Cazaux, recipient of an invitation and knockout of world No.8 Holger Rune in the second round, had never won a Grand Slam match and had never even known only one victory on the main circuit. It went back more than two and a half years ago, in May 2021.

👏 Une ovation bien méritée : auteur d'un superbe Open d'Australie, Arthur Cazaux s'arrête en 8e de finale, la faute au trop solide Hubert Hurkacz (7-6, 7-6, 6-4) #AusOpen #HomeOfTennis pic.twitter.com/s2gcvveVqO

— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) January 22, 2024

After the elimination of Adrian Mannarino the day before, he was the last Frenchman competing in the men's draw. In the women's draw, Océane Dodin (95th) faces China's Qinwen Zheng, world No.15, in the round of 16 later in the day.

A remarkable journey

Against Hurkacz, Cazaux was the first to break, from the Pole's first service game (2-0). But Hurkacz was able to come out on top in the deciding game in the first two sets. Then the young Frenchman called the doctor before the start of the third set, apparently for stomach problems, and he was immediately broken.

Also read: Arthur Cazaux will be present at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier thanks to an invitation to the final draw after his good performance at the Australian Open

His journey until the second week of the Australian Open will nevertheless allow the Montpellier native to jump to the gates of the top 80 in the ATP rankings.

🤩 Tweener et point gagné : Arthur Cazaux régale la John Cain Arena !

Le 8e de finale du Français contre Hubert Hurkacz est en exclusivité sur Eurosport #AusOpen #HomeOfTennis https://t.co/B6Nai3gxeR pic.twitter.com/aQ16U3i69z

— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) January 22, 2024

He obtained his very first victory in five sets in the first round, at the expense of the Serbian Laslo Djere (33rd), 6-2, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 3 -6, 6-2. Cazaux reached the final of the junior tournament four years ago, where he was beaten by another Frenchman, Harold Mayot.

Also read: VIDEO. When French fans cover a famous MHSC song to celebrate Arthur Cazaux at the Australian Open

In the quarter-finals, Hurkacz will challenge world No.3 Daniil Medvedev.