Top seed Francisco Cerundolo, a local favorite, claimed his fourth ATP title by defeating Italy’s Luciano Darderi 6-4, 6-2 in the Argentina Open final. Despite facing challenges on serve, Cerundolo showcased dominance at the baseline, securing victory in one hour and 37 minutes on the outdoor clay court of the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club.
Cerundolo, who had previously been a runner-up in 2021 and 2025, expressed his joy at winning his first ATP title on Argentine soil, emphasizing the significance of the moment in his career. The 27-year-old exhibited an aggressive playing style, breaking Darderi early in both sets and ultimately sealing the win with a powerful inside-out forehand.
Second seed Darderi, while displaying strength on his first serve, struggled on his second serve and committed 29 unforced errors during the match. Cerundolo’s victory solidified his position as the seventh home champion in the history of the Argentina Open, a tournament he has excelled in with a Tour-leading 46 clay court wins since the 2024 season began.
“This is the best moment of my career so far,” remarked Cerundolo, reflecting on his triumph in front of his family and friends. Despite the loss, Darderi is set to achieve a career-high world ranking of No. 21, while Cerundolo maintains his position at No. 19 in the ATP Rankings.
