OLBIA/STARNBERG, October 17, 2025
The semi-finals of the Olbia Challenger are set. Frenchmen Luca Van Assche and Hugo Grenier as well as Spaniards Pablo Carreno Busta and Martin Landaluce all advanced on Friday at the Tennis Club Terranova.
Carreno Busta produced one of the matches of the tournament, outlasting top seed Alejandro Tabilo 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(3) in a high-intensity battle on the Cloto Arena. The No. 6 seed of the ATP Challenger Tour 125 event in Sardinia had to dig deep to get past Tabilo in two hours and 19 minutes.
Semifinal bound
Pablo Carreno Busta battles past No.1 seed Tabilo 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 to reach the final four in Olbia#ATPChallenger | @meftennisevents pic.twitter.com/mDvCqZVGzW
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) October 17, 2025
“I’m extremely happy — it was such a tough match,” said the World No. 104. “We fought for more than two hours and I’m really pleased to reach the semifinals, especially after the long day I had yesterday.”
With this win, the Spaniard is set to make his return to the Top 100 — a major goal for his 2025 season. “This victory gives me confidence because it came against a top-level opponent who has been very close to the Top 10. Most importantly, it allows me to get back into the Top 100, which is something I really wanted,” he explained.
Carreno Busta, a former World No. 10, has enjoyed a stellar year at events organized by MEF Tennis Events, winning back-to-back titles in Tenerife. “It almost feels like Marcello Marchesini organizes tournaments just for me,” he joked. “I’ve been doing really well at these events in Tenerife and now in Sardinia. It’s great to play in places where I feel comfortable. I’ll recover now and be ready for another tough match tomorrow.”
Van Assche and Grenier Set Up All-French Clash
The first player to reach the semifinals was Luca Van Assche. The 21-year-old Frenchman, currently ranked No. 238 but a former Top 70 player, beat Edas Butvilas 6-3, 7-5 to avenge his summer loss in Porto.
“Edas is a very good player. He beat me a few months ago, so I knew it would be a tough match,” Van Assche said. “I struggled a bit to close it out, but I’m happy to have won in straight sets.”
It’s his third win of the week after victories over Stefano Travaglia and Vit Kopriva. Van Assche also praised the conditions in Sardinia: “I love playing here in Olbia, under the sun. It’s my last week of the year, and I hope to make it all the way to Sunday. I feel good about my level and playing many matches helps me keep improving.”
He will face fellow countryman Hugo Grenier in the semifinals. The World No. 192 booked his spot with a solid 6-3, 6-4 win over Nerman Fatic from Bosnia and Herzegovina on the Cloto Arena.
FRIDAY RESULTS
Pablo Carreno Busta (6) b. Alejandro Tabilo (1) 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(3)
Hugo Grenier b. Nerman Fatic 6-3, 6-4
Luca Van Assche b. Edas Butvilas 6-3, 7-5
Martin Landaluce (3) b. Dusan Lajovic (7) 6-3, 6-1
