Casper Ruud’s reign as Estoril champion came to an end at the semi-final stage as, after cruising through a couple of rounds, he came up against a very resilient Spaniard who made the most of his advantages, when gained, to defeat the world No.8 after a three hour, 7-minute clash, 6-4 4-6 6-4.
For the Norwegian, the defending champion and top seed, the writing was on the wall when he failed to convert two break points in the second game of the first set while Martinez did convert his third to go 3-2 up to go on and close out the set.
Disappointment for the 25-year-old from Oslo, especially as a drone then took to the skies over the Millennium Stadium which, to the amusement of the crowd, he tried to down with his powerful forehand. He failed in those attempts and after assurances that the pilot was being tracked down, the match resumed.
That distraction might have helped for Ruud came out strongly on their resumption saving two break points in the second game and broke for a second time in the eighth for 5-3 but then faltered as Martinez, the world 77, captured Ruud’s serve as he attempted to serve out but only delayed that result as he then dropped his serve in the next game.
But with the match level, Martinez had regained momentum and broke twice in the third and fifth games of the decider and while Ruud staved off several match points the Spaniard converted his third for a place in the final where he will face the second seeded Hubert Hurkacz after the Pole had downed Chile’s Cristian Garin in an equally enthralling topsy-turvy match, 6-3 3-6 6-3, achieved in just under two hours.
For the 27-year-old from Wroclaw, Poland, it will be 10th career final and first on clay and is aiming for eighth tour title.
Hurkacz converted his third break point in the second game to open up a 3-0 lead but Garin returned the compliment in the second set when he hit back for a 3-0 lead to go on and level the semi-final.
In the decider Hurkacz took control with two breaks to race out to a 5-1 lead but again Garin pulled one break back in the seventh game putting pressure on Hurkacz, who was attempting to serve out for the match for a second time which he eventually did on his first match point.
“What a surprise. It was definitely a great match. It was a really a great week and it was a tough battle against Cristian today. He is a really great opponent and there were some tough moments, but I really enjoyed the support of the crowd,” Hurkacz said during his on-court interview.
Hubert Hurkacz reaches his first clay court final
(Photo by Nuno Cruz/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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