Cerundolo’s Grass Court Breakthrough Sets Up Blockbuster Queen’s Final Against Paul

Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo edges past Brandon Nakashima to secure his maiden ATP 500 final berth in London.

The pristine lawns of the Queen’s Club witnessed a display of grit on Saturday as Francisco Cerundolo navigated a rollercoaster semi-final to book his place in Sunday’s decider. Facing the American Brandon Nakashima, the 27-year-old Argentinian had to overcome a tense opening-set tiebreak loss before mounting a methodical comeback to secure a 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4 victory.

For Cerundolo, this win represents a career milestone. While he is no stranger to success on grass—having claimed the title at Eastbourne in 2023—reaching the final at this historic West London venue is his biggest achievement on the ATP Tour to date. His composure was tested early by a razor-sharp Nakashima, who looked to capitalise on the momentum of his previous rounds.

The match turned in the second set. After trading games, Cerundolo found a breakthrough with a searing cross-court forehand that left Nakashima scrambling. Although the American, now guided by the tactical nous of former world number six Wayne Ferreira, managed an immediate break back in the decider, Cerundolo’s resolve remained unbroken. He secured the decisive break at 5-4 and served out the match with clinical precision.

The Final Showdown

Standing between Cerundolo and the trophy is Tommy Paul. The 2024 champion continued his serene progress through the draw, comfortably dispatching Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-3, 6-3. Paul has been in stellar form, reaching the final without dropping a single set, and will be eyeing his second title of the season after his success in Houston.

History leans slightly in the Argentinian’s favour, with Cerundolo holding a 5-2 lead in their head-to-head record. This includes a victory over the American at this very club three years ago. However, given Paul’s current comfort levels on these courts, Sunday’s match is widely expected to be a tactical battle of attrition.

Why it matters

The ascent of players like Cerundolo and Paul into the final stages of prestigious grass-court tournaments signals a broader shift in the men’s game. As the tour moves away from the traditional dominance of specialist grass-courters, we are seeing more baseline-heavy players adapting their movement and timing to the surface. For Cerundolo, this final is a litmus test of his versatility. Success here doesn't just add a trophy to his cabinet; it validates his ability to perform consistently on the fastest surface in tennis, a crucial precursor for any deep run at the upcoming Wimbledon.