Gerasimov had made it to two Australian Open main draws, and reached the second round in each (2020, 2021j.
Hubert Hurkacz also hadn’t made much of an impact at the AO, and in fact until Wimbledon last year, his Grand Slam efforts weren’t so grand at all.
At Wimbledon he made the semis, knocking out Medvedev then famously Federer on the way.
Hurkacz won their only previous meeting, straight sets in round one at the 2021 US Open
Hurkacz served first, and saved a break point before holding.
Gerasimov also saved a break point and levelled at 1-1.
At 1-2 and 40-15, Gerasimov suffered from the all court pressure exerted by Hurkacz and was broken, sealed by a forehand winner.
The 10th seed quickly consolidated to lead 4-1.
More break opportunities for Hurkacz in the sixth game, and with a netted forehand, Gerasimov fell behind 1-5.
Hurkacz had two set points after a volley winner. Both disappeared, one because of a Gerasimov winner, the other from a Hurkacz error.
Hurkacz was forced into another mistake and was down a break point. It was saved. Another set point came and went.
An error ridden game ended when Hurkacz found the net, dropping serve. He still had one break up his sleeve, and was ahead 5-2.
0-40 for Gerasimov and three more set points for Hurkacz. Two saved. A forehand winner from Poland finished the set 6-2.
The damage inflicted by the Hurkacz forehand had been the major difference between the players, and Gerasimov was unable to mount a defence.
However, Hurkacz released the pressure somewhat, early in set two, and was broken in the third game, against the run of play.
Then, after a slew of backhand mistakes between the two, Gerasimov hit a forehand winner, and proceeded to hold serve, leading 3-1.
Three unforced Hurkacz errors saw him facing another break point, but an ace saw that one saved. Hurkacz held to trail 2-3.
Gerasimov mixed things with an ace and a double fault, but it was a backhand winner that set up a game point. He held for 4-2.
Serving for the set at 5-4, Gerasimov was broken, two double faults not helping.
A pair of subsequent service holds caused a tie break.
Hurkacz raced to 4-0, aided by Gerasimov mistakes. At 6-2 with four set points, Hurkacz couldn’t finish it with his first chance, but won the set on the next opportunity 7-6(3).
Hurkacz was down 0-40 in game two of set three, but saved all the three break points. Gerasimov created a fourth chance with a backhand return winner, and achieved the break when Hurkacz was forced into backhand error.
A love game, complete with forehand and backhand winners, took Gerasimov to 3-0.
Hurkacz contributed forehand winners and an ace, but still was taken to deuce. A netted forehand gave Gerasimov a break point. Saved with a big serve. 3-1 to the Belarusian.
Gerasimov saved the first of two break points in the seventh game, but a double fault on the second was fatal. Back on serve with Hurkacz behind 3-4.
From 4-4 and 40-15, Gerasimov let his nerves creep in, and Hurkacz took advantage, breaking. He would serve for the match.
At 30-30, Hurkacz double faulted and Gerasimov had a break back chance. A netted forehand from Hurkacz and games were 5-5.
Two service games later another tie break.
Six points went with serve before a super volley from Gerasimov gave him a mini break. A terrific backhand down the line from Hurkacz brought it level at 4-4. Gerasimov earned a set point with a winning volley. He won it with a backhand winner 7-6(5).
In set four, Hurkacz saved a break point in the third game.
Games on serve until Gerasimov was serving at 3-4. Hurkacz had two break points. Gerasimov saved one. Hurkacz then reached full length to hit a forehand, and it resulted in an amazing cross court winner. The break meant he led 5-3 and was serving for the match.
After over three hours, Hurkacz arrived at two match points. He only needed one, and the match was his 6-2 7-6(3) 6-7(5) 6-3.
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