Local hero Cerundolo fulfills lifelong dream with dominant Buenos Aires victory
Francisco Cerundolo won the trophy in Buenos Aires on Sunday evening against Luciano Darderi (6-4, 6-2).
Francisco Cerundolo, Buenos Aires 2026 | © AP Photo/Gustavo Garello/SIPA
Francisco Cerundolo finally checked one of the most significant box of his career on Sunday evening, defeating Luciano Darderi 6-4, 6-2 to claim the IEB + Argentina Open title.
The 27-year-old Argentine, currently world No. 19 and the tournament’s top seed, produced a clinical performance at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club to secure his first trophy on home soil. After falling short in previous finals at the “Cathedral of Clay” – notably against Diego Schwartzman and Joao Fonseca – Cerundolo dictated play from the baseline to overwhelm the second-seeded Italian in front of a capacity crowd.
The victory concludes a flawless week for the Buenos Aires native, who did not drop a set throughout the tournament. Cerundolo’s path to the title included victories over No. 7 seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-3, 7-5 in the semi-finals, Czech Vit Kopriva 6-4, 6-3 in the quarters, and Bolivian Hugo Dellien 6-0, 7-6 (6) in his opening match.
A box to tick in Cerundolo’s career
For the Argentine, this win carries immense emotional weight; in a recent video for UTS, he explicitly described winning in his hometown as a “box to tick” before his career ends.
Darderi, the 24-year-old world No. 22, entered the final in formidable form having dispatched Sebastian Baez 7-6 (2), 6-1 in the semi-finals. However, the Italian struggled to cope with Cerundolo’s heavy forehand and the partisan atmosphere.
“Just win the last match. That’s the only thing I have to do now,” Cerundolo had stated on Saturday, acknowledging that he felt more mature than in his 2021 final appearance. By securing his first title of 2026, Cerundolo reasserts his status as Argentina’s leading man on the ATP Tour.
