‘Fran’ will collide with Zverev in Buenos Aires | ATP Tour

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‘Fran’ will collide with Zverev in Buenos Aires

The Argentine defeated his brother at the close of Wednesday’s day

February 13, 2025

Francisco Cerúando and Juan Manuel Cerúndo played this Wednesday at the IEB+ Argentina open the fifth game between brothers in main cadres of ATP Tour in this century, matching the Germans Alex and Mischa Zverev (Washington 2018), the Austrians Jurgen and Gerald Melzer (Kitzbühel 2016), and the Belgians Olivier-Christophe Rochus (Palermo 2000 and Wimbledon 2002).

The expectation for this unpublished duel between Argentines was filled in the last turn of the day in a central full of curious and, above all, mourners: relatives of the protagonists who did not know who to support. Finally, the balance was inclined in favor of the major, ‘Fran’, who won with partials of 6-2, 6-3 in an hour and 17 minutes.

The No. 28 of the PIF ATP Rankings played an impeccable game, breaking three times and saving the four break points he faced with the service, all in the initial game of the second partial that lasted nine minutes and in which he had to overcome a 0/ 40.

“They are different feelings. Of course I am happy because I am in the quarterfinals, but I am also sad a little because my brother lost. I know how you can feel at this time, ”said ‘Fran’ in his track interview. “In the end, he made a great tournament, and I’m playing very well, so I’m happy for both.”

What many expected 😍

The first main duel in the ATP Tour among the cerú 🍿@Francescerdoundo 🤝 @jmcerundolo pic.twitter.com/gnynaRTjQD

– ATP Tour en Español (@atppour_es) February 13, 2025

A day after reaching 60 victories about clay at ATP Tour, ‘Fran’ continues to advance in the tournament in which he was a finalist in 2021. With this result, in addition, the 26 -year -old right -hander reaches six consecutive victories on the surface In main ATP Tour cadres (not counting Olympic Games): four in its winning campaign in UMAG 2024, and two in Buenos Aires.

On Friday he will look for one more, as well as return to the semifinals of the tournament of his house. The obstacle will be nothing less than Alexander Zverev, with whom he has a 1-0 record at the Lexus ATP Headtohead between them since he won last year in Madrid.

“It is one of the top players of the circuit. I know him. We play once. We practice together this week. It will be difficult, ”said the fifth head of the series on his next opponent. “I need to play my best tennis on Friday to have options to overcome it. I’m craving that. I will prepare tomorrow and try to do my best. ”

Zverev does not waste time in the debut
No. 2 of the PIF ATP Rankings made it clear that he has a lot to give in the 2025 season and, in his first game since he reached the final of the Australian Open, he continued showing all his conditions debuting in the IEB+ Argentina Open of Buenos Aires . The first series head defeated Serbian Dusan Lajovic 6-4, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals of ATP 250.

Zverev had to get the best out of his repertoire with his service to get out of trouble against an opponent who lived up, such as when he had a four-granddary worker in the 4-3 of the second set, but the German continued to be the most Consisting in the key moments to seal a victory in an hour and 37 minutes to leave in 5-0 its lexus ATP Headtohead with Lajovic.

“I am happy with my victory today,” said Zverev, who won 80% of his first kick points, according to Infosys ATP Stats. “Maybe it is not the best game I have played, but it is great to get a first victory on whipped land … the Argentines are very passionate, so it is incredible to see many people outside for a first round game. I am enjoying and I hope Playing many more games here, “added Zverev, who had a 23-6 mark on beaten land in 2024, including a title at the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome. It also reached the Roland Garros and Hamburg finals.

Did you know that …?
Zverev is competing in South America for the first time since 2014, when he was classified outside the Top 800 and playing ATP Challenger Tour events.