Cerundolo signs feat in Madrid: beats last year’s finalist Auger-Aliassime

Juan Manuel Cerundolo, Argentine tennis player number 126 in the world, scores the most prestigious victory of his young career and does so on one of the most important stages in world tennis: the Madrid Masters 1000. In fact, the 2001-born Argentine eliminated Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime in two sets, with a score of 7-6, 6-4, in the second round of the tournament, thus earning his first success against a player ranked in the top 20 of the ATP rankings.

A landmark achievement for Francisco’s younger brother, who showed tenacity, tactical maturity and remarkable mental solidity, especially in the tie-break of the first set, which he won with coolness and determination. The second partial then highlighted his ability to stay focused in key moments, making the most of the uncertainties of the Canadian, who appeared far from his best form.

Auger-Aliassime, last year’s finalist in Madrid, where he lost a marathon of more than three hours to Andrey Rublev, temporarily slips to 26th place in the ATP rankings, complicit in the failure to defend the points won in 2024. The defeat marks a setback in his journey, while for Cerundolo it is a true consecration.

Awaiting the Argentine in the next round is now an even tougher challenge: he will face Russian Daniil Medvedev, one of the tournament favorites and landed directly in the round of 16 thanks to the withdrawal of Serbian Laslo Djere. For Cerundolo it will be a litmus test, but the confidence gained from this historic victory could be the extra weapon to try for another feat.