GUIA DE ISORA/STARNBERG, February 7, 2025
The Tenerife Challenger continues to deliver thrilling battles, with Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta overcoming a determined Vilius Gaubas in a three-set second-round match on Friday.
The 20-year-old Lithuanian, who had produced a miraculous comeback in the previous round by saving six match points and overturning a 0-5 deficit in the third set, pushed the former Top 10 star to his limits. However, Carreno Busta held his nerve, sealing victory with a flawless tie-break to win 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(3).
Just another day at the office for @pablocarreno91
The Spaniard breezes past Fonio 6-1, 6-2 to book his place in the quarterfinals in Tenerife#ATPChallenger | @meftennisevents pic.twitter.com/kveClbymaL
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) February 5, 2025
“It was a match played point by point,” reflected the Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist. “We both deserved to reach the tiebreak. Gaubas is improving a lot—he was better than me in the first set, but I managed to turn things around.”
After reaching the second round of the Australian Open earlier this year, Carreno Busta is regaining top form. “Of course, I’d love to win all my matches 6-0, 6-0 (laughs), but it’s never that easy,” the No. 3 seed added. “These tough matches build confidence and force you to bring out your best tennis. I feel good physically, and now I need to recover for the semi-final.”
The home crowd in Tenerife couldn’t have asked for a better scenario, as the ATP Challenger Tour 75 event, organized by MEF Tennis Events with the support of Turismo de Tenerife, will feature three Spanish players in the stage of the final four. A guaranteed home finalist is assured as Carreno Busta faces compatriot Pol Martin Tiffon, who advanced after a 7-5, 6-2 win over Briton Johannus Monday. Meanwhile, the other semi-final will see Alejandro Moro Canas take on fourth-seeded Portuguese Henrique Rocha, following their respective victories over Benjamin Hassan from Lebanon 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 and Abdullah Shelbayh of Jordan 4-6, 7-6, 6-4.
FRIDAY RESULTS
Singles – Quarterfinals
Pol Martin Tiffon b. Johannus Monday 7-5 6-2
Pablo Carreno Busta (3) b. Vilius Gaubas (6) 4-6 6-3 7-6(3)
Henrique Rocha (4) b. Abdullah Shelbayh 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4
Alejandro Moro Canas (5) b. Benjamin Hassan 6-4 3-6 6-3
