By Alberto Amalfi | @Tennis_Now | Friday, April 5, 2024
g
Top-seeded Casper Ruud topped Marton Fucsovics 6-3, 6-2 to score his sixth straight Estoril win and set up a semifinal vs. Pedro Martinez.
Photo credit: Millennium Estoril Open Facebook
Casper Ruud continues his Estoril elevation.
Defending champion Ruud topped Marton Fucsovics 6-3, 6-2 to score his sixth straight Estoril win and set up a semifinal vs. Pedro Martinez.
More: WTA Finals Heading to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Ruud joins Pablo Carreno Busta and Albert Ramos-Vinolas as the third Estoril champion to reach the semifinals in his title defense.
Earlier, world No. 77 Martinez defeated French lucky loser Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-4.
It is Martinez's eighth straight win following his run to the Girona Challenger championship last week. Martinez will contest his fourth career ATP semifinal tomorrow against Ruud.
The top-seeded Ruud, who was force-fed a double-bagel by Fucsovics in their lone prior meeting at the 2017 Budapest Challenger, burst out of the blocks quickly today.
Ruud broke at 30 for a 3-1 lead and backed up the break at 15 for 4-1. Ruud won 12 of the final 14 points played on his serve in snatching a one-set lead.
Overall, world No. 8 Ruud served 72 percent, won 28 of 34 first-serve points and saved the only break point he faced in a clean 72-minute victory.
No. 2-seeded Hubert Hurkacz hit four aces and denied all eight break points he faced beating 152nd-ranked Spanish qualifier Pablo Llamas Ruiz 7-6(4), 6-4 on the strength of a single service break.
The 10th-ranked Hurkacz advanced to his 20th career ATP semifinal and first Tour-level semifinal on clay. Hurkacz will play for his 10th Tour-level final tomorrow when he takes on Cristian Garin.
Chilean Garin stopped Nuno Borges 6-2, 7-6(3) for his ninth Tour-level semifinal, all on clay, and first since the 2022 Houston.
This will be the first meeting between the 27-year-old Hurkacz and 27-year-old Garin.