Lisbon’s tennis courts vibrated with excitement on Saturday as Henrique Rocha, a local talent, fought his way into the final of the Lisboa Belém Open. The Portuguese player secured his spot by overcoming Italy’s Stefano Travaglia in a grueling three-set battle. He now looks forward to competing for the Challenger tournament title on Sunday.
Rocha, ranked 171st in the world, faced a tough opponent. Travaglia, who sits at 239th, had previously eliminated fellow Portuguese player Jaime Faria. The final score read 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (3). The decisive tie-break came after Rocha found himself just one service game away from losing the match to the Italian. It was a true test of nerve and skill.
After the intense match, a visibly happy Rocha spoke to Sport TV. “I am very content,” he shared. “I feel I managed to push my limits, and that’s the most important thing.” His words perfectly captured the effort he poured into the semi-final.
At just 21 years old, Rocha already has one title in this category, won last year in Murcia. Now, he aims to make history on Sunday. He hopes to become the first Portuguese player to win this specific tournament in the country’s capital. It would be a significant milestone for his young career.
His opponent in the final will be determined by the other semi-final match. That contest features Peru’s Ignacio Buse, ranked 116th globally, against Lithuania’s Vilius Gaubas, who holds the 165th position. Rocha will need to bring his A-game once more to claim the coveted title.