Tennis Atlantic

Estoril Open quarterfinals: Tsitsipas’s odyssey continues
Manuel Traquete for Tennis Atlantic

The semifinals are set at the 2018 Estoril Open, with the big story of the week being the ever rising Stefanos Tsitsipas, who after reaching the final in Barcelona last week is already in the semifinals in Estoril, despite a very difficult match, hard fought to the last, against Carballes Baena. It took a third set tiebreak, where Tsitsipas won 7 points in a row after going 0-3 down, in order to book a place in the last four of the tournament. No matter what happens this weekend, this is already another incredible week for the young Greek, but he’ll definitely be aiming to get a first ATP title.

Tsitsipas’ semifinal foe will be João Sousa, who has kept the dream of winning his home tournament alive with a three set bagel over Kyle Edmund, who thus continues his post-AO slump.  Sousa will be ultra-motivated to make it to the final Sunday, but just looking at talent and skill it’s clear Tsitsipas goes into this matchup as a clear favourite.

The second semifinal also has a clear favorite in last year’s champion (and 2016 finalist, 2013 and 2015 semifinalist) Pablo Carreno Busta, who easily beat Jarry in the 3^rd set after struggling a lot in the 2^nd. Tiafoe played well against Bolelli and is a rising young player in general, but the surface and history at this tournament make Carreno the safe pick for another final. Although neither Tsitsipas nor Carreno Busta are anywhere near locks to win, a repeat of last weekend’s Barcelona semifinal seems the most likely outcome right now this weekend in Estoril.