Francisco Cerúndolo beat him Casper Ruud at the start of the Making Cupthe exhibition tournament created by Roger Federer in 2017, which has the best tennis players in the world competing in teams, this time in Berlin.
Fran comes from shining in the Davis Cupturning the tables on Argentina after a weak start against Canada and two vital wins against Great Britain and Finland, to qualify for the finals in Malaga, where they will have to face Italy. In the German capital and with many VIP guests in the boxes, everything is less pressured but there was some good tennis.
The Argentine, world number 31, accepted the invitation and did not waste it: he gave the first point to the “world” team, captained by the legend John McEnroewhich is completed with the Chilean Alexander Tabilo (22°), the Americans Taylor Fritz (7°), Frances Tiafoe (16°) y Ben Shelton (17°) and the Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis (78°).
In one of the boxes, Federer acted as host and applauded every point even though his heart is with Europe, a team that this year is represented by the Spaniard. Carlos Alcarazthird in the ATP, the German Alexander Zverevworld number two, the Russian Daniil Medvedev5th, the Norwegian Ruud, 9th, the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov10°, and the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas12°. In the captain’s chair, another hero: the Swede Björn Borg.
Cerúndolo played a great match, relaxed and enjoying the recreational atmosphere of the Uber Arena, and the best summary was given by the last point of the 6-4 and 6-4 that sealed the score after almost two hours of play: the Argentine hit a drop shot from the baseline that left Ruud without a reaction. From the side, McEnroe applauded standing and received him with applause.
“It was a great match on my part, I played well. I like to play this type of competition as a team, I’m very happy to have won. I’m coming from playing Davis Cup and I’m very happy with this run,” said Francisco after the victory.
In addition to the first point, Cerúndolo also took home a record. He is the highest-ranked tennis player, 31, who has beaten a top ten player since the start of this competition in 2017. The previous player was Taylor Fritz, who surpassed Dominic Thiem when he was 30th in the ATP, in 2019.
