Stefanos Tsitsipas put a break on João Domingues's dream

Facing each other for the third time - the first one at the highest level -, greek and portuguese provide a great show in the first match of the day at Millennium Estoril Open.

The national presence at Millennium Estoril Open fifth edition came to an end this Friday. João Domingues was downed by Stefanos Tsitsipas in his first ATP quarter-finals, 7-6 (3) and 6-4, after almost two hours.

As it had happened three years ago when they first met in Oliveira de Azeméis, here at Clube de Ténis do Estoril the 25-year-old portuguese couldn't make it through Tsitsipas, that clearly became one of the best players on tour. 

The difference between their first match and the one of today was not the outcome of the story, but its in-between, certainly tighter. This time, Domingues proved the challenge wasn't that far from his reach, just like he had done against Alex de Minaur and John Millman. The portuguese number three was this close to win the first set, but being under the pressure of such an important moment, ended up losing his serve and the tie-break that followed - where Tsitsipas was flawless. 

Under an intense sun, the high level of play remained the same in the second set. Without any break in the first six games, the two players were both at their best until the seventh game, when the world number ten managed to break Domingues serve for the second time in the whole match. It took Tsitsipas 1 hour and 48 minutes to beat the portuguese and return to the semis here at Millennium Estoril Open.