Andrey Rublev was stunned in the quarter-finals in Estoril by Luca Van Assche in three sets.
The top seed in Portugal was expected to continue his momentum from winning the title in Bastad last week.
However, after winning the opening set in his quarter-final with the Frenchman Rublev failed to capitalized and lost his quarter-final.
After the match Van Assche described it as one of the best wins of his career so far, “I’m very, very happy about the win today. It’s the best win of my career so far,” Van Assche told the ATP website.
“It means a lot to me. It was a tough match. I’m happy with the level I played. I love Portugal. I’ve played well here during my career so far. It’s a place that I love and to be in the semi-finals, it’s a great step in my career.”
As for Rublev the world number 12 refused to do press in Portugal after his defeat as he now looks ahead to the US hard court season.
The player that Rublev defeated in the Bastad final is into the last four in Estoril though as Luciano Darderi defeated Jaime Faria.
It was a closely fought contest with many twists and turns but Darderi prevailed in a 2-6 7-5 6-2 victory.
Here is the semi-final line-up in Estoril:
Luca Van Assche v Hugo Gaston
Alexander Blockx v Luciano Darderi
Bublik Reaches Second Consecutive Kitzbuhel Final
In Kitzbuhel, Alexander Bublik is back into the final after defeating Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-3 6-4.
It was an incredible match for Bublik who played a great match and is looking to defend his title in Austria.
Standing in Bublik’s way will be Quentin Halys after the Frenchman defeated Yannick Hanfmann 6-4 7-6(2).
After the match Halys was happy with his level as he is into his second ATP tour-level final of his career, “Of course it feels great, because it was already a long time [since my last final],” Halys explained to the ATP website.
“To go back to the final and to try to win a title of course, I’m so happy. Especially the way I’m playing this week. I’ve beaten amazing players and I’m so happy to be here. I will enjoy my match again tomorrow.”
Bublik will want revenge on Halys after the Frenchman defeated him in Gstaad in a last set tiebreaker last week.
