Frederico Gil

Frederico Gil, defeared France’s Gael Monfils 7-6(6), 6-2. The 26-year-old Portuguese player had not won back-to-back tour-level matches since reaching the Estoril final (l. to Montanes) last May before his run in Monte-Carlo. He is through to the quarter-finals of an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament for the first time.

Frederico Gil, who became the first Portuguese to reach at ATP World Tour final at his national tournament - the Estoril Open - last year, comprehensively beat Italian Simone Bolelli 6-3, 6-1 in 72 minutes.

Gil on reaching the final at the Estoril Open: “This was my best result so far. I’m really happy to have reached the final at home in Estoril. It was a great match, I was leading 3-0 in the third set but I couldn’t maintain the level to the end. He {A Montanes}is a very experienced player and he got the title.

"I was trying to play my best tennis and to maintain the level I wanted [in the third set]. But I want to compliment Montanes, who stayed there all the time and forced me to play my best tennis. He never stopped running and that is why he is ranked in the 30s and I’m at No. 134.

"For me, I am very happy to be Portugal’s first [ATP World Tour] finalist. I haven’t realised yet what I have done, because it is so soon after the match. I’d like to thank my family, my coaches and everyone who supported me. I’ll continue to work hard and do my best in future.”

Frederico Gil saved himself the embarrassment of a rare triple bagel by retiring at 0-6 0-6 0-2 against seeded David Ferrer, citing an injury to his right knee as the reason for quitting.