Down, But Never Out: Cerundolo Makes History at Queen’s Club

A break down in the third set of the quarterfinals. A set and a break down in the semifinals. A set and a break down in Sunday’s final.

Nothing could stop Francisco Cerundolo from making history at Queen’s Club this week.

The 27-year-old claimed the biggest title of his career and became the first Argentine man to win the title in the 55-year Open Era history of the event with a 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-3 victory over Tommy Paul.

With the win, Cerundolo joins Andy Roddick and Feliciano Lopez as one of only three men to have won both the Eastbourne (2023) and Queen’s Club titles.

The occasion was so special that Cerundolo’s parents flew all the way from South America to catch the final.

“I want to thank my family,” Cerundolo said. “They just arrived for the last two games. It’s the first time my dad took a flight, and the first time he watched me outside of Argentina, so… congratulations to my dad for taking a plane and coming here.”

Cerundolo fell behind by a set and a break after dropping the opening-set tiebreak and surrendering serve in the fifth game of the second set, but he quickly reversed course to put Paul on the back foot.

An immediate break-back sparked the comeback.

He saved two break points while serving at 4-4 before breaking to claim the set in the next game.

Cerundolo made his lone break of the deciding set – for 4-2 – stand up, but he didn’t exactly have it easy. He saved two break points at 5-2, then watched three championship points come and go with Paul serving in the next game.

Serving for the title, he needed two more match points to close out the victory before dropping onto the grass in celebration.

“I want to congratulate Fran and your team,” Paul said. “We have a ton of respect for you guys. We always seem to have unreal matches, and today you were the better player, so I’m happy for you. Congrats.”

Paul saw his nine-match winning streak at Queen’s Club snapped with the loss. The 2024 champion missed the event last year due to injury and was bidding to become the fifth American man to win multiple titles at Queen’s Club.

Cerundolo captured his fifth ATP title and second on grass. He is the only Argentine man to win multiple grass-court titles this century.