Australian Open 2024: hits with your eyes closed, powerful serve… Who is Hubert Hurkacz, Arthur Cazaux's future opponent ?

Hubert Hurkacz. EPA – MAST IRHAM

After three resounding victories at the 2024 Australian Open, Arthur Cazaux is preparing to challenge Hubert Hurkacz. An interesting opposition between two players who have made service their strong point.

After his victory at the Nouméa Challenger, the Montpellier native had another exceptional week in Melbourne. This night, he will challenge the Pole, ninth in the world, for a place in the quarter-finals. And the task will not be easy.

Hurkacz, Cazaux, the winning service

"Le Caz ? With his handball service, he scares everyone!", confided Arthur Fils after his defeat against Tallon Griekspoor, in the columns of the Team. And he's right. Arthur Cazaux benefits from significant shoulder strength, which allows him to serve higher than his opponents.

Also read: Open Sud de France in Montpellier: Arthur Cazaux will be invited to the final draw and will not go through the qualifiers after his run at the Australian Open

Opposite, Hubert Hurkacz, at 1.96 meters tall, has also made service his main weapon. With more than a thousand aces in 2023, the Pole has established himself over time as one of the best servers on the circuit. And despite a fairly predictable and stereotypical game, it was this same serve that put him back in the match each time he was put in difficulty against Ugo Humbert.

𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐔𝐑 𝐂𝐀𝐙𝐀𝐔𝐗 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐑 𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐍𝐔𝐀𝐆𝐄 : 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 pour le Français, qui affrontera Hubert Hurkacz en huitièmes de finale #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/1H5yiLBKl8

— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) January 20, 2024

A nice stylistic opposition to come which does not frighten Arthur Cazaux, as he knows how difficult it will be to break Hurkacz. &amp ;quot;I know I'm going to take aces, but I'll be ready for that. I will stay true to who I am and try to have the right attitude", confided the Montpellier native after his victory against Griekspoor. 

Also read: Australian Open 2024: channel, time, date… where and when to watch Arthur Cazaux's match against Hubert Hurkacz ? ?

Hurkacz hits with his eyes closed

Arthur Cazaux's future opponent is renowned on the circuit for his strikes which he performs with his eyes closed. A particularity which surprises his opponents but which does not prevent him from anticipating and adapting his moves. 

Hubert Hurkacz. MAXPPP – MAST IRHAM

"I've probably always played like this, and it's been pointed out to me for a while . I know it could help me, sometimes, to open my eyes when I hit the ball. So, in the future, maybe that's a change I'll try to make…, he confided to The Team in 2019. But obviously, it still works today. 

A discreet and appreciated player

Hurkacz is like his tournament in Melbourne: discreet. The Pole is probably one of the most reserved players on the tour. 

This week, the native of Wroclaw didn't get much attention, but provided the essentials. After defeating Jasika in three sets, then Mensik in five sets, he eliminated Frenchman Ugo Humbert (3/6, 6/1, 7/6[4], 6/3). ;nbsp;

Also read: "I've never met him, but we're going to organize that when he returns to Montpellier", Laurent Nicollin salutes the performance of Arthur Cazaux at the Open d& #039;Australia

For his part, Cazaux played the same number of rounds against Djere, Rune, then Griekspoor. See you tonight at four in the morning.