PORTO/STARNBERG, July 28, 2025
Gastao Elias etched his name into the history books at the Eupago Porto Open by becoming the tournament’s first-ever Portuguese multi-time singles champion. The 34-year-old celebrated his 18th career title on the Pro Circuit with an emotional victory, which he topped off by announcing he is expecting his first child.
Under sweltering 30-degree heat and with a well-attended Centre Court at the Monte Aventino Sports Complex, World No. 318 Elias dug deep to overcome France’s Lucas Poullain in a gruelling 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-0 battle that lasted three hours and 25 minutes.
Gastão Elias desconstrói o tédio de Lucas Poullain e vence por 7-5, 6-7(5) e 6-0 após 3h25 debaixo de 30 graus (com zero vento) p/ conquistar o Eupago Porto Open — 2.º título ITF M25 do ano.
Com a curiosidade de ser o 1.º português a vencer por 2 vezes na invicta em 27 edições. pic.twitter.com/btCL0LadtF
— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) July 27, 2025
Competing “at home,” Elias was pushed to his physical limits by Poullain’s patient and defensive game, which forced the Portuguese veteran into long rallies and constant initiative-taking.
“It was a tense and nervous match against an opponent who plays a lot of balls back and commits very few errors,” Elias said in his post-match press conference. “He doesn’t hit with much pace, which means I had to generate the power almost every time. That stretched the match out a lot. I felt I had to impose my rhythm, because he plays very defensively. But he also depends a lot on his legs, and you could see that catching up with him toward the end of the second set.”
Elias, who lifted his previous trophy just four months ago in Vila Real de Santo Antonio, now has two ITF World Tennis Tour M25 titles in 2025. He shared his fatherhood news during the trophy ceremony with a smile, saying it gave him the extra push to go all the way.
The oldest active Portuguese player on tour, Elias expressed his joy and motivation for the years ahead. He’s projected to return to the Top 300 and continues his campaign this week in the ATP Challenger 100 event that runs through Sunday at the same venue.
