Francisco Cerúndolo outsted Navone in a passionate Argentine encounter, progressing to the quarterfinals
In the ongoing Nordea Open, part of the Swedish ATP 250 tournament, Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo is making a strong impression. The top-seeded player has secured a comfortable win over his fellow Argentine Mariano Navone, with a score of 6-3, 6-3 in the round of 16 [1][3]. This victory propels Cerundolo into the quarterfinals, where he awaits his next opponent.
Cerundolo's win over Navone was a satisfying one, not only for its convincing scoreline but also because it avenged his brother's loss to Navone in a previous tournament [1][2]. This successful campaign start has positioned Cerundolo as a formidable contender in the tournament, especially considering his status as the main favourite, having won the title here in 2022 [4].
Cerundolo's focus was evident from the start, as he broke Navone's serve twice in each set [5]. The match, which lasted over an hour and 32 minutes, ended a four-match losing streak for Cerundolo [6].
Meanwhile, in another part of the ATP circuit, Juan Pablo Ficovich achieved the biggest win of his career in Los Cabos by defeating Quentin Halys, who is currently ranked 52nd [7]. Ficovich will face Aleksandar Kovacevic, ranked 76th, in the quarter-finals of Los Cabos.
Argentine tennis players are making a significant presence on the ATP circuit this week. In Bastad, Camilo Ugo Carabelli, ranked 59th, defeated Botic van de Zandschulp, who is currently ranked 100th, with scores of 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-3 [8]. Carabelli awaits the winner between Filip Misolic -qualifying- and Nuno Borges in the next round.
In Gstaad, Francisco Comesaña defeated Roberto Carballés Baena and will face Aleksandr Bublik, ranked 34th, in the quarter-finals. However, Tomás Martín Etcheverry was eliminated by Arthur Cazaux, who is currently ranked 116th [9]. Lautaro Middleton also lost to Pedro Boscardin Dias in the round of 16 in Gstaad [10].
As the tournament progresses, the spotlight remains on Cerundolo, who continues to demonstrate his prowess on the clay courts. The quarter-finals will see Cerundolo face the winner between Hugo Gaston and Damir Dzumhur [11]. With his current form and the home-court advantage, Cerundolo is poised to make a deep run in the tournament.
Francisco Cerundolo's triumph over Mariano Navone in the Nordea Open reignites his passion for tennis, a sport he adores. In the midst of this tournament, Cerundolo also seeks to defend his title, especially considering his victorious performance in arena of tennis, namely the clay court, in the previous year.
