Hubert Hurkacz got a double dose of good news Wednesday when he boosted his Nitto ATP Finals hopes at the direct expense of qualification rival Aslan Karatsev, cruising past his fellow Turin contender 6-1, 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals in Indian Wells.
The 24-year-old, who also advanced to the last eight in California in 2019, clinched his third tour-level title of the season in Metz last month and began the match in ninth spot (2,865 points) in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin.
The eighth seed is aiming to make his debut at the season finale, to be held at the Pala Alpitour in Turin from 14-21 November. Hurkacz hit with consistent depth against Karatsev as he dictated from the baseline to advance after 64 minutes.
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Hurkacz has now levelled his ATP Head2Head series with the Russian at 1-1, gaining revenge from his defeat to Karatsev in San Diego in September. He will next face top seed Daniil Medvedev or Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in the quarter-finals. The Pole is yet to drop a set in Indian Wells, having overcome Alexei Popyrin or Frances Tiafoe in his first two matches.
Earlier this year, Hurkacz lifted the trophy at the Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com, before he captured his first ATP Masters 1000 crown at the Miami Open presented by Itau.
Karatsev, who was making his debut in Indian Wells, sits 12th (2030) in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin. The 29-year-old was aiming for a strong run in California to close the gap on those above him, with 10th placed Jannik Sinner (2595) and Casper Ruud, currently seventh (3,015), still alive in Indian Wells.