Hubert Hurkacz wins first match in 77 days after splitting from his coach recently

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Hubert Hurkacz has returned to winning ways at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Hurkacz made an impressive start to the 2026 season after returning from a knee injury, but his form had dropped off after helping Poland win the United Cup.

The former world number six lost his seventh consecutive match at the Miami Open, leading to Hurkacz splitting from coach Nicolas Massu.

In his first tournament since splitting from Massu at the Monte Carlo Masters, Hurkacz would seek his first win in 77 days.

Hubert Hurkacz ends seven-match losing streak at the Monte Carlo Masters

Clay has traditionally been Hurkacz’s weakest surface, as it reduces the impact of his huge serve.

Hurkacz looked to be up against it when the Monte Carlo Masters draw was made, as he came up against 15th seed Luciano Darderi.

Darderi’s best surface is clay, as he has won all five of his ATP titles on the surface over the past year.

However, it was actually Hurkacz who was able to win the first round match, beating Darderi 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-1.

This is Hurkacz’s first win since January, when he beat Zizou Bergs in his first round match at the Australian Open.

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Hubert Hurkacz has an opportunity after Jakub Mensik withdraws from the Monte Carlo Masters

Hurkacz is a former quarterfinalist at the Monte Carlo Masters, and he may now have a chance to go on another run at the tournament.

Former Miami Open champion Jakub Mensik was a potential second round opponent for Hurkacz, but the young Czech withdrew from the Monte Carlo Masters at the last minute before his first round match was supposed to take place.

This means that Hurkacz will now play Hungarian Fabian Marozsan in his second round match, with both players having a big opportunity to progress.

Hurkacz won their only previous meeting, beating Marozsan on hard courts at the Shanghai Masters in 2023.

A potential third round opponent for Hurkacz is fourth seed and last year’s Monte Carlo Masters finalist Lorenzo Musetti, but there is currently some uncertainty surrounding the Italian, who has played only one match since the Australian Open after struggling with injury.