It appeared that #NextGenATP Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas' run at the Millennium Estoril Open was coming to an end when he double-faulted to trail 0/3 in a final-set tie-break Friday against reigning Quito champion Roberto Carballes Baena.
But Tsitsipas' confidence gained from recent results showed, winning the final seven points of the match to advance to his third ATP World Tour semi-final with a 6-7(2), 6-2, 7-6(3) victory.
Prior to 2018, the 19-year-old had won just four tour-level matches, three of which came last year in Antwerp. But the Greek now has 14 wins this season alone, and is into his second semi-final in as many weeks, after reaching his maiden ATP World Tour final in Barcelona (l. to Nadal). His two-hour, 37-minute triumph on the Portuguese clay sets up for a battle against home favourite Joao Sousa, who ousted No. 3 seed Kyle Edmund 6-3, 1-6, 6-0.
Entering the week, Sousa had never won a match at his home event (0-3). The Portuguese No. 1 not only eliminated eighth-seeded Daniil Medvedev, but also saved two match points in the second set and overcame a 3/5 deficit in the decider to move past wild card Pedro Sousa. Now, after winning all but seven points in the third set Friday, Sousa is into his second semi-final of the year (also Marrakech).
On the other half of the draw, #NextGenATP American Frances Tiafoe advanced to the semi-finals by defeating Italian qualifier Simone Bolelli 7-5, 6-2 in one hour and 24 minutes.
After saving two match points to defeat countryman Tennys Sandgren in the first round, the 20-year-old has found his form. He overcame a stiff test from No. 4 seed Gilles Muller in the second round and now is into his second tour-level semi-final. The 20-year-old American earned his first ATP World Tour title in February at Delray Beach to become the youngest American champion on Tour since Andy Roddick in 2002.
It will not get any easier for Tiafoe against the No. 2 seed Pablo Carreno Busta, who battled past Chilean Nicolas Jarry 6-2, 1-6, 6-1 in one hour, 33 minutes. The Spaniard is the defending champion in Estoril, and is attempting to win his fourth ATP World Tour title. It will be the first FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting between Carreno Busta and Tiafoe.
Did You Know?
Tsitsipas began 2018 at No. 91 in the ATP Rankings. With his win over Carballes Baena, he is projected to crack the Top 40 for the first time.