LUANCO, August 7, 2025
Austria’s Dominic Thiem and France’s Richard Gasquet will contest the final of the 38th edition of the BDO Tenis Playa Luanco on Thursday after defeating Bernabe Zapata Miralles and Edas Butvilas, respectively, in Wednesday’s semifinals held on the iconic sand court of La Ribera.
Thiem prevailed 6-4, 7-5 against Zapata Miralles in a hard-fought battle, while Gasquet booked his spot in the final with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Butvilas.
Gasquet Gets His Revenge
Richard Gasquet returned to Luanco with unfinished business after being knocked out in the semifinals in 2023 by Miguel Avendaño. Determined to go further this time, the Frenchman displayed his trademark elegance from the start, particularly with his signature one-handed backhand, and claimed the first set 6-4 in just 27 minutes.
As in his previous matches, Lithuania’s Edas Butvilas grew into the contest and even served for the second set at 5-3. But Gasquet held firm, broke back, and eventually edged the tiebreak 7-5 to secure a straight-sets victory.
Semi-finals of @TenisLuanco are underway!
First up: Butvilas Vs Gasquet
Fb: Thiem Vs Zapata Miralles #TenisPlaya #Luanco pic.twitter.com/KZoT37s0QT— Florian Heer (@Florian_Heer) August 6, 2025
Thiem’s La Ribera Debut Draws Crowds
2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem made his highly anticipated debut on the Luanco sand, and the packed stands responded with enthusiasm. Spanish opponent Zapata Miralles pushed Thiem throughout the match, answering the Austrian’s high-level play with intensity and aggressive shot-making.
The first set remained even until the tenth game, when Thiem secured the only break to take it 6-4. The second set saw more momentum shifts, with multiple service breaks, though Thiem remained slightly ahead. At 6-5, Zapata Miralles had the chance to force a tiebreak while serving, but Thiem showcased his composure and quality to close out the match 7-5 and set up a final clash with Gasquet.
Right before midnight, Dominic Thiem wins his @TenisLuanco debut against Bernabe Zapata Miralles and reaches the final in Luanco.#TenisPlaya #Luanco pic.twitter.com/DXA7Qm77jC
— Florian Heer (@Florian_Heer) August 6, 2025
Tribute to Toño Caballero
Between the two semifinal matches, the tournament paid tribute to Toño Caballero, a beloved tournament official who passed away in June due to a work-related accident. The organizers projected a video honoring Caballero’s contributions across tennis, photography, handball, and nature—areas where he left a lasting legacy.
Players Celebrate with Asturian Cider
In a nod to local tradition, players from the main draw—Dominic Thiem, Richard Gasquet, Bernabe Zapata, Edas Butvilas, Miguel Avendaño, and Bernardo Munk—took part in the customary pouring of sidra asturiana. The event celebrated the cider’s recent recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and also served as a relaxed meet-and-greet opportunity between the tennis stars and the media.
