ESTORIL/WASHINGTON, July 26, 2026 (by Michael Dickens)
After Luca Van Assche advanced to his first ATP Tour final at the Millennium Estoril Open, he became the second French champion at the event after Richard Gasquet in 2015 – and the third French ATP Tour champion this season along with Arthur Fils in Barcelona and Quentin Halys a day earlier in Kitzbühel.
The 22-year-old Van Assche’s 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 victory over 21-year-old Alexander Blockx of Belgium, ranked No. 38, in two hours and 24 minutes secured his Top 50 debut as he will rise from No. 65 to No. 48 in the PIF ATP Rankings – and, just as importantly, it rewarded Van Assche with his first ATP Tour title victory. It came during the ATP 250 red clay event held on the Portuguese Riviera.
WHAT A MOMENT!
22yo Luca Van Assche defeats 21yo Alex Blockx 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 to win his FIRST CAREER ATP TITLE here at the @EstorilOpen!
He will make his top 50 debut as well tomorrow! 👏🤩 pic.twitter.com/Sftg51fULF
— Millennium #EstorilOpen (@EstorilOpen) July 26, 2026
Before an enthusiastic crowd that filled 3,500-seat Estadio Millennium, Van Assche broke Blockx three straight times to open the first set as it took until the sixth game of the final before either player held their serve. He went on to win the opening set and was a break up on Blockx in the second set before the Belgian regained his form and went on to win the second set to force a decider.
GOING THREE!
From an early break down, Alexander Blockx forces a decider in the @EstorilOpen final!
4-6, 6-4 vs. Luca Assche. pic.twitter.com/7HUS4AePQ2
— Millennium #EstorilOpen (@EstorilOpen) July 26, 2026
Next, Van Assche came out strong for the final set, winning consistently from both wings, and broke Blockx in the first and third games to grab a 3-0 lead. It was his seventh break of Blockx’s serve in 10 tries. However, Van Assche surrendered one of the breaks back before gaining an important hold for 4-2, needing just to hold serve two more times to win the title.
Van Assche is one game away! pic.twitter.com/Icp7VXiuWt
— Millennium #EstorilOpen (@EstorilOpen) July 26, 2026
The Frenchman pressured Blockx during the Belgian’s next service game but was unable to cash in on a pair of break-point opportunities during a 12-point seventh game. Next, he held for 5-3 after striking an ace and a forehand winner. Then, after a love hold by Blockx, the Belgian broke back by winning a 17-shot rally to get a crucial break back for 5-all. However, Van Assche converted his eighth break of Blockx in 13 attempts to push ahead 6-5 with another opportunity to serve for the title.
HE IS NOT DONE YET!
Breaks for 5-5 in the decider. pic.twitter.com/hVqwiGMBbi
— Millennium #EstorilOpen (@EstorilOpen) July 26, 2026
Finally, Van Assche held his serve and won on his first championship-point opportunity, capping an eight-shot rally to prevail for the victory. He finished with 35 winners to 30 unforced errors. He won 61 percent (46 of 76) of his first-serve points and saved three of 10 break points he faced. He outpointed Blockx 98-92.
En route to his first tour-level title, Van Assche upset top seed Andrey Rublev of Russia in Friday’s quarterfinals and took out fellow Frenchman Hugo Gaston in Saturday’s semifinal round. He won four of his five matches in Estoril in three sets. The former junior World No. 1 improved to 9-4 in tour-level matches this season.
“It was an incredible week for me,” Van Assche said in his remarks during the trophy ceremony. “It started on Monday and I played a three-hour, 30-minute match. I am proud of all my matches here. It was very difficult and exhausting, so I am very proud to be the winner this week.”
It’s time… to jump and smile! pic.twitter.com/Q13W7QAoyy
— Millennium #EstorilOpen (@EstorilOpen) July 26, 2026
Drouguet and Jacquet win first doubles title together
Tituan Droguet and Kyrian Jacquet of France, who were making their team debut this week, upset No. 2 seeds Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos of Brazil, 7-6 (2), 6-7 (4), 11-9, in two hours and three minutes, to win the doubles title.
Droguet and Jacquet saved all six break points they faced during the final and finally won on their fourth match-point opportunity after jumping out to a 9-6 lead in the match tie-break.
ALLEZ 🇫🇷
Titouan Droguet and Kyrian Jacquet win their first ATP title in their first tournament together!
They defeat Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos in an epic final 7-6(2), 6-7(4), [11-9]. pic.twitter.com/uDXNyjHmXf
— Millennium #EstorilOpen (@EstorilOpen) July 26, 2026
The Frenchmen, both 25, finished the week 4-0 and became the second French duo to win an Estoril doubles title after Jeremy Chardy and Fabrice Martin in 2019. They began by upsetting No. 1 seeds Luke Johnson of Great Britain and Jan Zielinski of Poland in the first round.
Luz and Matos, who came into the final 29-17 as a pair, are now 25-17 this season, including title victories at Buenos Aires and Santiago.
Our doubles champs ❤️🏆 pic.twitter.com/FspOkmR8CB
— Millennium #EstorilOpen (@EstorilOpen) July 26, 2026
By the numbers
This was the second ATP Tour final this season where both players were contesting their first ATP Tour final following Marrakech (Rafael Jodar defeated Marco Trungelliti), and first ATP Tour final between players born in 2004 or later.
