Cerúndolo dresses up as a centenary in Paris-Bercy | ATP Tour

Paris

Cerúndolo dresses up as a centenary in Paris-Bercy

The Argentine will cross with Tsitsipas or Tabilo in the third round

October 29, 2024

Francisco Cerúndolo continues to write memorable chapters on the ATP Tour and this Tuesday he signed a truly special one. The Argentine, who climbed to the third round of the Rolex Paris Masters, reached 100 victories on the professional circuit, confirming an increasingly mature presence in the locker room.

The South American resisted in a high-voltage match, defeating sixth seed Andrey Rublev 7-6(6), 7-6(5) to land strong in the round of 16. In the shelter of the Bercy covered court, Cerúndolo wants to mark the territory in the last ATP Masters 1000 of the season, always a stage open to protagonists capable of breaking the odds.

In a clash between two players with fierce forehands, Cerúndolo managed to impose his tenacity to achieve victory. The intensity of both at the back of the court, generating 29 break points in just two rounds, set the script for a definitive match in very few strokes. Mentally firm, Francisco came back from a break in both sets to capture the match.

The victory served to underline Cerúndolo’s bravery in front of the locker room elite. The Argentine improved his record against Top 10 rivals to 4-3 this season, sending an authoritative warning to the big candidates in Bercy. A good example is the direct match with Rublev, whom he already dominates 3-1 in Lexus ATP Head2Head history, including the two duels fought this year.

In one of the most prestigious tournaments of the indoor season, Cerúndolo will have to redouble his efforts on the way to the decisive rounds. In the round of 16, the Argentine will face the winner of the duel between the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, four-time indoor champion, and the Chilean Alejandro Tabilo, currently the main racket player in South American tennis.

Under the cover of Paris, Cerúndolo seeks to display one of the best performances of the year. The Argentine, who won his third ATP Tour Cup on the clay of Umag in 2024, aspires to close the season within the Top 30 of the PIF ATP Rankings for the third consecutive year, consolidating his presence in the upper part of the locker room.

For his part, the defeat leaves Rublev facing an uncertain scenario on the way to the Nitto ATP Finals. Andrey currently occupies No. 8 in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, located in the last direct access spot to the season finale tournament. A cushion of just 165 points separates him from his closest pursuer, the Australian Alex de Minaur, who could snatch his place by reaching the quarterfinals at the Rolex Paris Masters.

Did you know that…?
Francisco Cerúndolo aspires to become the second Argentine champion of the Rolex Paris Masters in individual mode. Since its introduction to the ATP Tour calendar in 1968, only David Nalbandian (2007) has managed to lift the cup in the French capital representing albiceleste tennis. No other Argentine managed to reach the final in the last ATP Masters 1000 of the year.