A comeback for the ages
Francisco Cerúndolo, ranked 25th in the world, pulled off one of the most stunning victories of his career on Saturday at the US Open. Facing local hope Taylor Fritz, the world number 10 and ninth seed, the Argentine lost the first two sets but fought back to win 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in a marathon match lasting three hours and 40 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium.[S1][S3]
The match began badly for Cerúndolo, who made numerous unforced errors and quickly fell behind. Fritz, the 2024 finalist, took the first set 6-3 and then moved 4-1 ahead in the second before closing it out 6-4. The Argentine, however, refused to give up, breaking back and gradually finding his rhythm.[S1][S4]
Turning point and historic achievement
The decisive moment came in the fourth set when Cerúndolo, serving at 3-4 and 0-40 down, saved three consecutive break points and won six straight points to level the set. He then broke Fritz's serve and went on to take the set 6-4, forcing a fifth set. In the decider, the Argentine maintained his intensity and completed the comeback with another 6-4.[S3][S4]
Cerúndolo finished the match with 10 aces, winning 81% of points on his first serve and converting six break points. At 28 years old, he reached the second week of the US Open for the first time in his career, having previously been eliminated in the third round in 2023, 2024, and 2025. This is his fourth appearance in the fourth round of a Grand Slam, after reaching that stage at Roland Garros in 2023 and 2024 and the Australian Open in 2026.[S1][S2]
Argentine presence in New York
Cerúndolo's victory means two Argentines are now in the fourth round of the US Open, alongside Tomás Etcheverry, who defeated compatriot Mariano Navone in straight sets on Friday. This is the first time since 2017 that two Argentine men have reached the second week of a Grand Slam, when Diego Schwartzman and Juan Martín Del Potro achieved the feat.[S2][S3]
Cerúndolo's next opponent will be Belgian Alexander Blockx, ranked 34th, who surprised by defeating Italian Flavio Cobolli, the world number 6, in four sets. The Argentine will face Blockx on Sunday, September 6, with the time yet to be confirmed. Etcheverry, meanwhile, will play local Alex Michelsen, ranked 46th.[S4][S5]
