His tennis had already drawn parallels with Andy Murray before he battled Roger Federer for a place in the semifinals at Wimbledon on Wednesday. In the manner of his dominant takedown of the eight-time champion, in-form Pole Hubert Hurkacz evoked memories of the Swiss being routed at the 2012 London Olympics.

And guess who the architect was behind the famous win in that grudge gold medal match at the Centre Court at All England? Murray himself.

Speaking to reporters after taking another giant leap to what could be his maiden Grand Slam and a first for a Pole at Wimbledon, Hurkacz was asked on the Murray comparisons and whether he consciously modelled his play on the former British No.1.

To that, the current World No.18 said as much as he feels privileged to be compared to Murray, he is working hard to develop his own style and impose his own brand of tennis on his rivals.

Hubert Hurkacz says he is privileged to be compared to Andy Murray

By the looks of it on Wednesday, it couldn’t have worked any better against Federer.

“Andy is (an) unbelievable player, like what he has achieved. He was No.1 in the world, winning many Grand Slams. So, obviously, being compared to such a great player is special. But I’m trying to develop a bit of my style,” the 24-year-old Pole said.

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He added that his style of play isn’t entirely similar to that of the three-time Grand Slam champion, but he doesn’t mind being compared to Murray.

Hurkacz bageled Roger Federer in the final set in Wimbledon QF

“The way I play is a bit different but obviously Andy is a magnificent player and it’s nice to be compared to such a great player,” Hurkacz said.

With the capacity crowd at the Centre Court chanting Federer’s name, the Pole held his calm to not only work his way into the hearts and minds of the spectators but also avenge the defeat in his only previous meeting with the Swiss.

Watch This Story: A Lookback at Roger Federer’s 8 Wimbledon Championships Titles

The ageless desire which had taken Federer to an unprecedented 18th quarter-final at Wimbledon, seemed to have escaped him at the end of the second set at a packed Centre Court as his shoulders dropped. He barely went through the motions to being bageled in the end.

Read More: Hubert Hurkacz Beats Roger Federer and Dominic Thiem to This Incredible Feat After Miami Open 2021 Victory

It was, perhaps, fitting, that the man who comes possibly the closest to Federer in terms of likeability should take him down on his stomping ground.