Francisco Cerundolo achieved the most significant victory of his professional tennis career, rallying to defeat Tommy Paul in a grueling men’s singles final at Queen’s Club. This victory marks the Argentine’s first title above the ATP 250 level.
The match lasted three hours and two minutes, standing as the longest final in the history of the Queen’s tournament. Although Cerundolo initially struggled after falling a set and a break behind, he mounted a resilient comeback to win 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 6-3. His parents managed to witness the final two games, a rare occurrence given his father’s fear of flying.
Cerundolo spent over 11 hours on court throughout the week, navigating four separate matches that required a third set. This triumph represents his second grass-court title, having previously defeated Paul in the 2023 Eastbourne final.
Tommy Paul, who remained gracious in defeat, acknowledged Cerundolo as the superior player during their encounter on the Andy Murray Arena. For Cerundolo, the win at such a historic venue serves as a career-defining milestone that he described as beyond his wildest expectations.
