Cerundolo Cruises to 150th Win in Santiago

By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, February 27, 2026
Photo credit: Argentina Open

Francisco Cerundolo continues to clean-up on clay.

The top-seeded Cerundolo crushed American Emilo Nava 6-1, 6-1 to score his 150th Tour-level win on the red clay of Santiago.

The 27-year-old Cerundolo, the first active Argentinean to reach the 150-match win milestone, powered into his 18th Tour-level semifinal.

The top-seeded Cerundolo won the Buenos Aires title earlier this month and will carry a 7-1 record on South American red clay into tomorrow’s semifinals.

“I didn’t expect this,” Cerundolo said. “I have seen Emilio play really good tennis the past couple of days, so I started super concentrated on my game because I knew it was going to be a really tough match.

“But I thought I played really well. I rarely missed any shots today. I am really happy with my performance.”

Riding his fearsome forehand, Cerundolo converted five of 13 break points today. Cerundolo will face Yannick Hanfmann for a spot in the final.

World No. 81 Hanfmann was a 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 victor over 21-year-old Lithuanian lucky loser Vilius Gaubas in a match that spanned two hours, 12 minutes.

Hanfmann, who likes the higher altitude of Santiago, hit 46 winners, 30 more than his opponent, to reach his 10th ATP Tour semifinal Hanfmann is the first German to reach an ATP Tour semifinal on South American clay since Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas at 2014 Sao Paulo.