Former junior world No. 1 Luca Van Assche captured the first title of his professional career with a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 win over Alexander Blockx in the Estoril Open final on Sunday evening. Van Assche needed two hours and 24 minutes to prevail while surviving a total of 15 service breaks in the match.
It was a wild week in Estoril for both finalists. Van Assche played four three-setters on his way to the trophy. All four of Blockx’s matches went three sets, including two match points saved against Kyrian Jacquet in round two and a comeback from 5-2 down in the second, 4-2 down in the third, and 4-0 down in the third-set tiebreaker agains Luciano Darderi in the semis.
“It was an incredible week for me,” the Frenchman assured. “It started on Monday and I played a three-hour, 30-minute match. I am proud of all my matches here. It was very difficult and exhausting, so I am very proud to be the winner this week.”
At the Generali Open in Kitzbuhel, Quentin Halys also became a first-time ATP champion with a 6-4, 7-6(6) victory over Alexander Bublik on Saturday. Halys set the tone for the match by blasting four straight aces in the opening game, and sure enough he did not face a single break point the entire way. The 29-year-old Frenchman triumphed after one hour and 33 minutes.
It was his second win over Bublik in as many weeks, having also upset the 11th-ranked Kazakh in the Gstaad second round.
“It’s tough not to think about my family, because since I was a kid the goal was to win an ATP title — and today the dream came true,” Halys said during the trophy ceremony. “So thanks to my parents, my grandparents, and everybody who made this possible.”
“I think winning a first ATP title is going to mean a lot,” Bublik commented. “I remember my first one. I was chasing it for maybe five or six finals, and you did it in the second one — so big congrats to you. Enjoy. It’s always going to be a special one.”
a wild week in Estoril
Unlikely winner
Where has Van Assche been hiding this form