Portuguese Pedro Sousa unable to overcome giant Opelka

The portuguese player had the lead in the tie-break of the first set and managed to break Reilly Opelka in the second, but couldn't hold any of the advantages, and ended up eliminated in the first round of Millennium Estoril Open.

A crowded Estádio Millennium attended the premiere of the firs portuguese player to take action in the main draw of Millennium Estoril Open. Hopes were high on the side of the locals, but promptly turned into worries, as Pedro Sousa had to ask for medical assistance due to a twisted foot while playing only the fourth point and facing Opelka's serve. 

After the medical time-out, Sousa had lots of trouble trying to sustain Opelka's powerful serve, but still managed to push the decision to the tie-break, saving three break-points along the way. The portuguese number two was actually ahead in the tie-break with an early mini-break, but somehow the North American found his away to win seven points in a row. 

The second set brought a sense of a potential turnaround amidst the portuguese crowd, as Sousa managed to accomplish something which isn't within everyone's reach: to break Opelka's serve. The North American, though, found his way out of a 0-3 disadvantage, breaking Sousa's serve in the ninth game, right before putting an end to the match with four impecable serves: 7-6 (2) and 6-4.

Reilly Opelka makes it to the second round, where he will meet third seed Gael Monfils, one of the the favourites in the run for the title.