Cerundolo’s Six-Semifinal Streak Is GONE and Tommy Paul Just Saw What’s Coming for Sunday!
Holy smokes, Seattle, you guys hear about this absolute GRIND in London? Francisco Cerundolo, our dude, just pulled off a HUGE win at the Queen’s Club semifinals today, battling past Brandon Nakashima 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4. We’re talking about a two-hour, 43-minute war, a straight-up rollercoaster that felt like it was gonna tear your heart out! This wasn't just a win, it was a statement. He's heading to his second final of the season, and honestly, you gotta be hyped for what’s next.
Cerundolo Fought Like the Game Was on the Line Every Single Point
Let's talk about this match, because it was wild from the jump. Cerundolo, the seventh seed, had a chance to serve out the first set at 6-5 but couldn't quite seal it, dropping that opener. You think that would break his spirit, right? Nope! He then fell behind by a break in the second set, and for a minute there, it felt like the old narrative was gonna pop up again. But Cerundolo dug deep, man. He reeled off four straight games from 2-3 to level the match, showing that grit we love to see. The deciding set was a total topsy-turvy affair, with breaks of serve flying back and forth at the midway point. But Cerundolo, he found that decisive blow in the ninth game, serving it out on his first match point. After the win, he high-fived fans and embraced Nakashima, saying he was "super happy" and "stayed there competing and left it all there on the court." You love to hear that kind of fight!
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The Six-Semifinal Curse Is Officially DUSTED
And here’s the REAL story, the one that’s gonna make you jump out of your seat: This isn't just Cerundolo’s second final of the season. This is his first tour-level final above ATP 250! Get this, the guy had lost his past SIX tour-level semi-finals above ATP 250 level. SIX! That's a monkey off the back, a huge mental hurdle cleared, and you can practically feel the relief from across the pond. He's not just breaking personal records, either. The No. 22 player in the PIF ATP Live Rankings joins David Nalbandian from 2012 as only the second Argentine to reach the Queen's Club final in the Open Era. He’s been on a tear this week, with three-set wins against Aleksandar Kovacevic and Arthur Fery leading up to this. Cerundolo is competing for his fifth career title, and get this, his second on grass, having won Eastbourne back in 2023. This dude is for real!
Nakashima's Effort and Paul's Championship Test
We also gotta give props to Brandon Nakashima. He was looking for his second final of the season, and you can tell he’s got something cooking, especially after upsetting Alex de Minaur in the quarter-finals for his third Top 10 win. He even started working with coach Wayne Ferreira this week. But now, it’s all about Sunday. Cerundolo has to face the eighth seed, Tommy Paul, in the championship match. And let's not forget, Paul knows what it takes to win here. He lifted the trophy at this very grass-court event back in 2024. So, is Cerundolo going to ride this wave of breaking his semi-final curse all the way to a trophy, or will Paul remind him who the champ is? We'll be glued to it, waiting to see if Cerundolo can grab that fifth title!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.