USA Today via Reuters
Mar 27, 2022; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Francisco Cerundolo (ARG) celebrates after match point against Gael Monfils (FRA)(not pictured) in a third round men’s singles match in the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 27, 2022; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Francisco Cerundolo (ARG) celebrates after match point against Gael Monfils (FRA)(not pictured) in a third round men’s singles match in the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Francisco Cerundolo is slowly and steadily moving up the ranks. He may not be as known as some of his compatriots like Juan Martin del Potro and Diego Schwartzman, but the 23-year-old Argentine is having a dream start to the 2022 season. Apart from an ATP Challenger Tour title in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, he has had credible finishes in other ATP tournaments.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Francisco had a credible quarterfinal finish at the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires. He lost to his fellow countryman, Diego Schwartzman, in the last-eight clash. Further, he reached the semifinals of the Rio Open. However, it was Schwartzman again who halted his run at the Rio Open. Earlier today, he had another impressive result, as he knocked out an in-form, Gael Monfils, in the third round at Miami Open 2022.
DIVE DEEPER: ?So Important for All of Us to Give Back to the Sport? ? Nine-Time Grand Slam Champion Monica Seles Opens up on Inspiring the Next Generation of PlayersFrancisco Cerundolo to face Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round of Miami Open
The Argentinian will take on the local hero, Frances Tiafoe, in the next round. Earlier in the day, Tiafoe defeated Francisco’s younger brother, Juan Manuel Cerundolo. During a post-match interview after his third-round win over Monfils, Francisco opened up on facing Tiafoe in the pre-quarterfinals.
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 27, 2022; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Francisco Cerundolo (ARG)(L) celebrates after his match against Gael Monfils (FRA)(not pictured) in a third round men’s singles match in the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
He said, “Frances is an amazing player, I watched him today against my brother. He played a really good match. I’m going to enjoy this victory tonight because this is huge for me and tomorrow I will start thinking about the match, watching a bit of Frances, how he plays, and focusing on my game mostly.”
'Frances is an amazing player, I watched him today against my brother…' [Tiafoe won 6-3 6-2]@FranCerundolo's villain origin story 😅#MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/d1oTyDTqe5
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 28, 2022
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Francisco Cerundolo was dominant right from the very start in his win over Gael Monfils. He took the early initiative, breaking Monfils’ serve in the third game of the opening set. Further, he didn’t let Monfils settle in the match, as he again broke the Frenchman’s serve in the seventh game of the first set. Subsequently, he held his serve to take the opening set 6-2.
The second set began with both the players holding their serves until 3-3. However, the Argentine won the next three games to notch one of the biggest wins of his career.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY:?Will Smith Shows How King Richard Cast Trained Like Serena and Venus Williams
It’ll be interesting to see if Francisco can avenge his brother’s defeat against Tiafoe.
