'I beat Roger Federer, but Matteo Berrettini was too strong,' admits Hubert Hurkacz

• Tennis News
• Roger Federer

Hubert Hurkacz claimed the first Masters 1000 titles in Miami in April, moving closer to the top-10 but suffering six straight losses during the spring swing. The young Pole changed his form at Wimbledon and defeated Daniil Medvedev and Roger Federer in back-to-back encounters for the first Major semi-final.

Hubert took down Medvedev in five sets to arrange his second clash against his idol Roger Federer, whom he beat 6-3, 7-6, 6-0 for a place in the last four. Hubert lost serve once and broke Roger five times en route to a commanding victory, overcoming a deficit in the second set and never looking back.

From 4-1 up in that second set, Federer lost 11 of the last 13 games for a complete meltdown and his worst Wimbledon loss. Seeking his first Major final, Hurkacz couldn't produce the same level in the semi-final clash against Matteo Berrettini, losing 6-3, 6-0, 6-7, 6-4 to finish career-best Major journey.

Hubert Hurkacz spoke about his excellent Wimbledon campaign.

The Italian faced only two break chances in the entire clash, never losing serve and keeping the pressure on his rival with six successful return games from ten opportunities.

Berrettini fired 60 winners and stayed under 20 unforced errors to tame his strokes nicely and move over the top in style. Matteo forced the rival's mistake in the opener's seventh game to move in front and sealed the opener with the second break at 5-3.

The Italian was the only player in the second set, dominating on serve and return to earn a bagel and looking good to seal the deal in the third. Instead, Hubert raised his level and reached the third-set tie break, winning it 7-3 to extend his chances.

Starting all over, Matteo earned an early break in the fourth set and served well in the remaining games to seal the deal and advance into the first Major final. "I made a great success in London, reaching my first Major quarter-final.

Still, I wanted more, as I was close to the final and could have played better against Matteo Berrettini. On the other hand, Matteo played an excellent match; he was in great shape for a couple of weeks. There are matches when everything works out and comes easily; he certainly had that against me.

Playing against Roger Federer at the Wimbledon Centre Court, where he won so many matches in the past and with the crowd supporting him, is an incredible experience. That success gave me more self-confidence and increased my willingness to win," Hubert Hurkacz said.