Van Assche Upsets Top-Seeded Rublev for “Best Win” in Estoril – Tennis Now

By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, July 24, 2026
Photograph credit score: Millennium Estoril Open Fb

Dislodging clumps of pink clay together with his damaging drives, Luca Van Assche reconfigured the Estoril Open draw.

The 22-year-old Van Assche toppled top-seeded Andrey Rublev, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to battle into his first Tour-level semifinal.

An energized Van Assche snapped Rublev’s five-match successful streak scoring what he referred to as the most important win of his life.

“I’m very, very glad concerning the win right now. It’s the most effective win of my profession thus far,” Van Assche mentioned. “It means lots to me. It was a tricky match. I’m pleased with the extent I performed.

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“I like Portugal. I’ve performed properly right here throughout my profession thus far. It’s a spot that I like and to be within the semifinals, it’s an important step in my profession.”

Van Assche’s victory ensures there shall be a Frenchman within the remaining. Van Assche will face fellow Frenchman Hugo Gaston for a spot in Sunday’s remaining.

Earlier, Gaston swept Portuguese wild card Tiago Torres, 6-3, 6-4.

Within the remaining set, Van Assche broke served within the third sport then backed up the break at 30 for a 3-1 lead.

Coming off his 18th profession championship in Bastad on Sunday, Rublev dug in and received 11 consecutive factors on serve to chop the hole to 4-5 and drive the Frenchman to serve it out.

World No. 78 Van Assche saved a break level at 30-40 earlier than closing his greatest profession win in two hours, quarter-hour.