Liam Broady in the first round of Wimbledon 2018, UK
Liam Broady in the first round of Wimbledon 2018, UK | (BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)

Tennis | Tokyo 2020 | Broady shocks Hurkacz to earn third round clash with Chardy

  • Liam Broady [WC] def Hubert Hurkacz [7] 7-5 3-6 6-3
  • Broady v Jeremy Chardy | H2H: Chardy leads 1-0
TOKYO, JAPAN – Liam Broady earned the biggest win of his career by shocking Wimbledon semi-finalist Hubert Hurkacz in three sets.

 

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Liam Broady [WC] def Hubert Hurkacz [7] 7-5 3-6 6-3

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Liam Broady earned the biggest win of his career as he reached the last 16 at the Olympic Games by defeating world number 12 Hubert Hurkacz in three sets. It was the Pole who played better in the early stages of the match being more consistent with his aggressive shots and tactics. After taking his first break point Hurkacz consolidated to take a 4-1 lead.

However Broady responded with some aggressive shot-making of his own and despite the seventh seed having two points for 5-2, the Brit hit back with some impressive angles to break back for 4-3. As both players continued to hold serve impressively it would be Broady who would produce some impressive returning and break for a 6-5 lead. Broady would serve out an impressive first set as he capitalised on some poor decision-making from the Pole.

In the second set, it was the Brit who created half-chances to break but Hukacz used his experience on big points to cling onto his serve. However the story of the match was whoever was the more clinical would win the set and that’s what happened as Hurkacz broke at an important time in the contest for a 5-3 lead.

Despite Broady’s pressure on return, the Brit couldn’t create any break points in the ninth game and on his fourth set point the seventh seed took the second set and forced the match into a decider. It was at that point that the world number 142 decided to take a very long bathroom break that kept Hurkacz waiting.

Eventually when the final set did happen, Broady turned into a completely player and so did Hurkacz. The Brit played some clean and powerful points while Hurkacz made unforced errors and looked exhausted as well as fed-up. The Brit broke for a 2-0 lead and nearly sealed a double break before Hurkacz held.

There were some last game jitters from the Brit but Hurkacz couldn’t capitalise on some conservative play and Broady closed out what was the biggest win of his career. From last minute entry to a place in the last 16.

 

Liam Broady [WC] v Jeremy Chardy H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Liam Broady [WC] v Jeremy Chardy

H2H: Chardy leads 1-0

Olympic Games

Tokyo, Japan

Hard (O)

Prize Money: N/A

TBC

BBC Sport

Broady will now face Jeremy Chardy for a spot in the quarter-finals at the Tokyo Olympics.

 

Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2021)

H2H:

Liam Broady (WR 142)

Jeremy Chardy (WR 68)

Tournament Previous Best

N/A

N/A

1st Serve %

65

62.1

Service Games Won %

75.1

79

Break Points Saved %

63.2

61.3

2nd Serve Return Points Won %

52.5

49.2

Break Points Converted %

37.1

39.2

As shown in the stats the Frenchman prioritises his serve over his return so the Brit will need to main a high percentage of return points won if he wants to dominate the match.

 

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Playing styles and predictions

Chardy came into the Olympic Games having not won back-to-back matches at a tournament since Dubai in March. However the Frenchman has a big serve and feels confident at the net having been successful in doubles. Heading into this match Chardy comes into also off of a big win as he beat Aslan Karatsev in the second round.

This match isn’t too dissimilar for Broady to the Hurkacz match although the Frenchman has less variety but a lot more power on both sides. This is set to be a physical contest but if Broady can maintain his level that he has produced so far then this is certainly a winnable match.

Prediction: Broady in three sets.

 

 

How to Watch/Follow Tokyo 2020

TV

Across BBC Channels & Red Button

Live Stream

BBC Sport

Live Scores

Tennis Live Scores on Britwatch Sports

 

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