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The Baseline Player of the Week: Joao Sousa

Published May 07, 2018

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Joao Sousa is the top-ranked Portuguese player on the ATP tour, but, until last week, he had been unsuccessful at winning a match at the Estoril Open.

The ATP 250 tournament is the only tour event held in his home country. But, after defeating Frances Tiafoe, 6-4, 6-4, on Sunday, Sousa becomes the first Portuguese player to win an ATP title in Portugal.

Do it for your country
Do it for you name
'Cause there's gonna be a day
When your standing in the hall of fame
And the world's gonna know your name

João Sousa, 2018 Millennium @EstorilOpen CHAMPION! 👏 pic.twitter.com/sa8s7t9hJb
— Millennium #EstorilOpen (@EstorilOpen) May 6, 2018

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In three previous appearances in Estoril, Sousa had gone 0-3. It marks the 29-year-olds' third career title and his first since 2015, and propelled him back into the Top 50.

Right after his big victory, Sousa was congratulated by the Marcelo Rubelo de Sousa, the President of Portugal.

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Tiafoe was playing in his second ATP final of 2018 after winning Delray Beach.

The Baseline Player of the Week: Joao Sousa

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