Elias to face Malisse in Challenger
Gastao Elias
NBTA student Gastao Elias, of Portugal, will face NBTA alum Xavier Malisse in the semifinals of a Challenger event in Moncton, Canada. Elias, who is only 17 years old, qualified for the event and then beat the #4 and #7 seeds to reach his first career Challenger semifinal. Malisse, a former top 20 player, is trying to return from injury and is the top seed in the Challenger.
With Gastao reaching the semis, that should give him enough ranking points to move into the top 500 for the first time in his career. Quite a feat for someone of his age. Keep your eye out for Elias in the future. He is an excellent prospect who moves extremely well and plays with a silky-smooth style reminiscent of Richard Gasquet.
I watched him when I was down at the academt. He is like, amazing. Good luck against Malisse!
Hi Nick
I think Ekias is a great kid – I drove him and his coach back to the hotel the other day in the Moncton Challenger shuttle van. Unfortunately I witnessed the match with Malisse today and he was no match this time around. Xavier had his 28th birthday today and took out Elias took pretty easily in the semis. Happy Birthday Xavier
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