Estoril Open: David Goffin knocks out 2018 champion João Sousa

David Goffin is moving on at the 2019 Estoril Open. He does so by ousting the tournament’s defending champion João Sousa.

Portuguese tennis player João Sousa entered the field in men’s singles at the 2019 Estoril Open as the defending champion. There are plenty of stars in action this year though. One of those is fourth seed David Goffin.

Facing off in the round of 16, Goffin and Sousa met in a highly anticipated matchup. Last year, the Estoril Open was Sousa’s sole ATP singles title. He is not so fortunate this time around…

Goffin wins their match in dominant fashion, going 6-3, 6-2. In 80 minutes, the Belgian tennis star dispatches the tournament’s defending champion. He moves on and will face Malek Jaziri next.

What’s at stake in his upcoming matchup? First off, Goffin is someone who is in need of a deep tournament run. He has struggled at his recent events and is yet to take home a title on the 2019 ATP Tour. Then, if Goffin does advance, he could potentially face top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas. The young Greek tennis star must get past Joao Domingues first. If both win though, that will definitely be a match to watch.

We like Goffin’s chances right now at the 2019 Estoril Open. He did lose to Jaziri once before, but they do not have a storied history. The two faced just once back on the 2016 ATP Tour. And, if you go by due theory, the Belgian tennis star seems poised to breakout. Currently the world number 25 in men’s singles tennis, Goffin has gone as high as the world number seven ranking in the past. Lookout for him next at the Estoril Open.

Elsewhere at the Estoril Open, action in men’s singles rolls on. Pablo Cuevas wins his round of 16 match against Filippo Baldi. Plus, along with the top seed advancing, so does third seeded French tennis star Gael Monfils. We await one more outcome before the final quarterfinals matchup is determined. Goffin, however, knows what he’s in store for and should be ready to go.