Stan Wawrinka’s last tour-level match on clay ended in a three-set loss at the Millennium Estoril Open on Tuesday, where Roman Andres Burruchaga prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 after two hours and 28 minutes. The 41-year-old three-time major champion fought off three match points before Burruchaga closed it out on a fourth.
Wawrinka’s Farewell on Clay
Competing in his final season, Wawrinka was honored on court with a commemorative memento marking his farewell appearance on the Estoril clay, the last clay-court event of his career. He leaves the surface with a remarkable 202-124 record at tour level, showcasing his longevity and talent in the sport.
Burruchaga moves on to face Portuguese No. 1 Nuno Borges, who opened his home campaign with a convincing 6-3, 6-3 win over Brazilian qualifier Orlando Luz. The fifth seed became only the second Portuguese player to reach five match wins at the Estoril tournament, joining Joao Sousa in this notable achievement.
Former champion Pablo Carreno Busta, the 2017 winner, advanced with a dominant 6-1, 6-3 victory over Vilius Gaubas and will meet France’s Luca Van Assche in the next round. This tournament continues to showcase rising talents and seasoned champions alike, making it a must-watch event on the ATP calendar.
Two lucky losers also made the most of their second chance. Kyrian Jacquet rallied past last week’s Umag champion Daniel Merida 1-6, 6-1, 7-5, while Timofey Skatov defeated Jesper de Jong 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 to book a second-round meeting with top seed and Bastad champion Andrey Rublev. These matches highlight the unpredictable nature of tennis, where opportunities can arise unexpectedly, leading to thrilling encounters.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the remaining competitors as they vie for the title and further their careers in this prestigious event.