Defending Champion João Sousa loses to former top-10 David Goffin

The belgian player couldn't dream of a better way to make his debut at Millennium Estoril Open.

João Sousa's six-win series at Millennium Estoril Open singles draw has come to an end. The portuguese number one was seeking to go one step further into the defending of his title, but couldn't make it through the former top-10 David Goffin.

Playing for the first time ever in the only ATP tournament held in Portugal, the belgian player wasn't far from perfection and sealed his fifth victory out of seven matches against the portuguese, 6-3 and 6-2 in 81 minutes.

In a really hot day with no wind to disturb - unlike what had happened in the previous round -, David Goffin perfectly adapted himself to the conditions around. Calm and quiet, in his own manner, the belgian player has created a lot of trouble to João Sousa, who had a low percentage on his first serve (48%), suffering the break for four times. Sousa made too many unforced errors before an opponent always ready to take advantage of his flaws.

With such a perfect premiere at Milennium Estoril Open, Goffin puts his name in the tournament quarter-finals - where already are Stefanos Tsitsipas and Gael Monfils. 

Former number seven's next opponent will come out of the night session duel between Malek Jaziri and Leonardo Mayer. 

With Sousa out of competition, the portuguese representation in the tournament now lays exclusively on João Domingues. The 25-year-old player has already got four wins (two of them in the qualifying) in this edition, including the best of his career, against number 27 Alex de Minaur. Domingues will now face first seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.