Luca Van Assche delivered the biggest result of his career on Friday at the Estoril Open ATP 250, dismantling top seed and World No. 14 Andrey Rublev with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 comeback victory to reach his first ATP Tour semifinal in Estoril, Portugal. The 22-year-old Frenchman, ranked No. 78 in the ATP Rankings, overcame a first-set deficit in a match lasting two hours and 15 minutes, handing Rublev his first defeat since lifting the Bastad title the previous Sunday.

How Van Assche Turned the Match Around

Rublev entered the quarterfinal on the back of a five-match winning streak, brimming with confidence from his Bastad title. He backed that form in the opening set, saving all five break points he faced, according to ATP Stats, to take it 6-3.

Van Assche refused to capitulate. He steadily raised his level through the second and third sets, repeatedly winning the extended forehand-to-forehand exchanges that define clay-court attrition. The Frenchman converted his opportunities when it mattered, taking the second set 6-3 and closing out the decider 6-4 to level their ATP head-to-head series at 1-1.

Van Assche on His Career-Defining Victory

An emotional Van Assche made no attempt to hide his elation after the win. 'I'm very, very happy about the win today. It's the best win of my career so far,' he said. 'It means a lot to me. It was a tough match. I'm happy with the level I played. I love Portugal. I've played well here during my career so far. It's a place that I love, and to be in the semifinals, it's a great step in my career.'

Notably, Van Assche had fallen at the quarterfinal stage in each of his previous three ATP Tour appearances at that level. Breaking through against a player of Rublev's calibre — a multiple Grand Slam quarterfinalist — underlines the significance of the result.

Gaston Ends Torres Dream Run to Set Up All-French Semifinal

Van Assche's semifinal opponent will be compatriot Hugo Gaston, who earlier on Friday dispatched Portuguese wild card Tiago Torres 6-3, 6-4. It was a disciplined performance from Gaston, who deployed his signature drop shot to repeatedly drag Torres forward and disrupt his rhythm.

When asked about the secret to an effective drop shot, Gaston was characteristically candid: 'There is no secret. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Today it was difficult. With the wind, it can help me, but Tiago is a guy who can run really fast. It's one of my best shots, so I have to use it. Not too much… But sometimes it's good in these conditions, so I will keep it in my pocket.'

The win moves Gaston to his fourth ATP Tour semifinal and his first since 2024, with the Frenchman climbing 19 places to No. 90 in the Live ATP Rankings.

Torres Makes History Despite Exit

Torres, making his tour-level debut this week as a local wild card, exits the tournament with his head held high. His run to the quarterfinals has earned him a remarkable 96-place jump in the ATP Rankings, vaulting him to No. 331. For a player stepping onto the ATP Tour for the first time, the Estoril Open has been a landmark week regardless of Friday's result.

What's Next

The all-French semifinal between Van Assche and Gaston promises a fascinating tactical contest — Van Assche's aggressive baseline game against Gaston's creative, drop-shot-heavy clay-court craft. The winner will advance to the Estoril Open final, with both players eyeing a first ATP Tour title.