Estoril Open News and Events

Joao Sousa

© JLS

Spaniard Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo and Andrey Golubev of Russia, the top two seeds in the men’s singles qualifying at the Estoril Open, fell at the first hurdle on Saturday. 

Despite a difference of 317 places in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, Croatian World No. 452 Lovro Zovko battled to a 2-6, 7-5, 7-6(4) win over Ramirez Hidalgo in two hours and 42 minutes.

Zovko saved 10 of 17 break point opportunities. Ramirez Hidalgo had previously beaten the 27-year-old on the ATP Challenger circuit in 2001 and 2002.

In arguably the biggest upset of the day Portuguese World No. 742 Joao Sousa defeated World No. 137 and this year’s Heilbronn winner on the ATP Challenger circuit, Golubev 6-3, 7-6(4). The 18-year-old, who next plays Czech Adam Vejmelka, is now one victory away from a place in his maiden ATP-level event.

There was better news for Austrian duo, third seed Olivier Marach and No. 4 seed Alexander Peya, in their first matches at the Estadio Nacional.

Marach, who clinched his second career ATP doubles title at Acapulco with Michal Mertinak in February, hit seven aces and won 78 per cent of service points to beat Portuguese wild card Tiago Godinho 6-2, 6-1 in one hour. 

Peya, currently No. 198 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, had an equally convincing victory over another local Vasco Pascoal 6-0, 6-2 in 55 minutes. The 19-year-old Pascoal won just 15 points on serve.

Portuguese fans cheered locals Hugo Anao, Pedro Sousa and wild card Miguel Almeida into the second round of the men’s singles qualifying.

In the women’s qualification competition, top-seeded Spaniard Carloa Suarez Navarro and No. 2 seed Eva Hrdinova lived to fight another day.

Suarez Navarro dominated World No. 266 Natalie Grandin to win 6-3, 6-1 in 54 minutes, while Hrdinova survived a late challenge by Russian Elizveta Tochilocskaya for a 6-0, 7-5 win in 65 minutes.

Swiss Stefanie Vogele battled past third-seeded Julie Coin of France 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, while Belarusian Darya Kustova defeated No. 8 seed Marta Marrero of Spain 4-6, 6-1, 6-1.