Home Cooking: Cerundolo Triumphs in Buenos Aires

Third time’s a charm for Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo. The 27-year-old, a two-time runner-up at his hometown event, rose to the challenge on the red clay on Sunday, taking out Italy’s Luciano Darderi 6-4, 6-2 for his fourth career title and first on home soil.

Cerundolo, who was defeated in the 2021 final by Diego Schwartzman and the 2025 final by Joao Fonseca, won 19 of 25 second-serve return points, engineered four breaks of serve, and dominated play with his mammoth forehand across the one hour and 36-minute contest. This victory ensures Cerundolo remains a force at the top of the game, projected to hold firm as Argentina’s No. 1 at No. 19 in the world on Monday.

Cerundolo, who has more wins on clay than any other player on tour since the start of 2024 (46), has established himself as one of the most durable forces on the surface over the last two seasons. Entering this final, he had not dropped a set all week, a streak he maintained today despite a spirited start from Darderi.

“Wow, probably the best moment of my career so far,” an elated Cerundolo said. “I really wanted to win here, in my hometown, in my country, with my friends and my family, with all the people here in Argentina, this feeling is amazing.

“I really fought throughout these last year, I couldn’t do it, but today I think I played one of my best matches, probably of my career.”

Cerundolo ripped 20 forehand winners to 10 for Darderi, and made just 11 unforced errors off that wing, compared to 19 for the Italian. He won 11 of 14 points at net, and conquered 46 of 75 baseline points.

The Argentinian broke in the third game of the final and saved three break points to consolidate for 3-1, a sign of his commitment to the cause. He saved another pair of break points while serving at 4-3, then converted his third set point two games later to take the lead.

The second set was more one-way traffic. After a trade of breaks in the first two games, Cerundolo rumbled through five of the final six games to finish the match going away.

“I felt incredible, I didn’t let him take initiative in the points,” Cerundolo said. “It’s a final, you have to go for it here, nobody wants to lose.”