In a thrilling semifinal showdown at the Millennium Estoril Open in Portugal, Spanish tennis player Pedro Martinez stunned top seed Casper Ruud of Norway to secure a spot in the tournament final.
Martinez showcased remarkable resilience and skill as he outlasted defending champion Ruud in a grueling three-set battle that lasted three hours and seven minutes. Despite Ruud’s valiant comeback efforts, Martinez maintained his composure to clinch a hard-fought victory with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. The match witnessed a dramatic turn of events, with Ruud rallying from a 5-1 deficit in the deciding set and fending off three match points in an intense 16-minute game at 5-2. However, Martinez, ranked 77th in the world and previously without a win against a top-ranked player, displayed remarkable determination to emerge triumphant.
In the final, Martinez will face off against the tournament’s second seed, Hubert Hurkacz of Poland. Hurkacz secured his spot in the final by defeating Chile’s Cristian Garin in a hard-fought encounter, prevailing with a scoreline of 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. The Polish player showcased his prowess on the court, securing crucial breaks of serve in the final set to clinch victory in a match that lasted just under two hours.
Berrettini and Carballes Baena Set to Clash in Grand Prix Hassan II Final
At the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech, Morocco, Matteo Berrettini of Italy booked his place in the tournament final after a hard-fought battle against Mariano Navone of Argentina. Berrettini displayed his formidable serving skills, recording six aces en route to a victory with a scoreline of 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2. The match tested Berrettini’s endurance, lasting two hours and 42 minutes, as he secured his first final appearance since October 2022.
In the final, Berrettini will face defending champion Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain, who continued his dominant run in Marrakech with a commanding performance against Pavel Kotov of Russia. Carballes Baena, who has won nine consecutive matches in Marrakech, showcased his resilience and efficiency on the court, securing a 6-4, 6-2 victory in his semifinal encounter. With impressive defensive skills and an ability to capitalize on break point opportunities, Carballes Baena remains a formidable opponent as he seeks to defend his title in the final showdown against Berrettini.
