Slice of history: 19-year-old Juan Manuel Cerundolo reaches Cordoba final on ATP debut
Juan Manuel Cerundolo of Argentina became the first player to reach a final on his ATP main draw debut since 2004 with his three-set win over Federico Coria on Saturday at the Cordoba Open.
Juan Manuel Cerundolo Cordoba Open
It has been a February of stunning debuts on the ATP Tour. Earlier this month 27-year-old Russian Aslan Karatsev became the first player in history to reach the semi-finals of a Grand Slam on his main draw debut at the Australian Open.
Cordoba Open: Draw | Order of Play
Today in Cordoba, 19-year-old World No 335 Juan Manuel Cerundolo became the first player to reach a final on his ATP main draw debut since 2004, thanks to his 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 semi-final victory over compatriot Federico Coria.
The fairytale run continues 👏
In his first ATP main draw event, 19 y/o @juanmacerundolo beats countryman Coria 6-4 4-6 6-2 to book his place in the final!#CordobaOpen pic.twitter.com/11b0sn07Qu
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 28, 2021
The week started on a high note for Cerundolo and his older brother Francisco, who made history just by entering the same main draw together. They became the first Argentine brothers to feature in the same ATP main draw since Alejandro and Carlos Gattiker in 1981, at Quito. The brothers took it a step further on Tuesday when each notched his maiden ATP victory.
From the Williams Sisters to the Bryan Bros, the tennis world has enjoyed countless successful siblings over the years. One of the next duos on the rise: The Cerundolos@TennisBlogger1 explains why the Argentinian brothers are two to watch in 2021https://t.co/JPsvniTwhd
— Cracked Racquets ® (@CrackedRacquets) February 24, 2021
“It’s absolutely amazing, me and my brother both winning on the ATP [Tour] is really amazing, to be honest,” said Francisco, 22 and ranked 135, after joining his brother in the second round. “It’s a dream for our family. Winning our first match, on the same day, at the same tournament – it’s unbelievable.”
Juan Manuel, who will turn 20 on November 15, defeated Thiago Seyboth-Wild in his opener in straight sets before knocking off third-seeded Miomir Kecmanovic in three sets to reach the quarter-finals. Cerundolo then took out veteran Brazilian Thiago Monteiro to reach the semis and on Saturday against Federico Coria (who defeated Francisco in three sets in the second round), he battled through his third consecutive three-setter to become the first ATP player to reach a final on his ATP main draw debut since Santiago Ventura in 2004.
Cerundolo, who is the youngest Argentine to reach an ATP final since 2001, will face either Albert Ramos-Vinolas or Facundo Bagnis in Sunday’s final at Cordoba.
19-year-old qualifier @JuanMaCerundolo defeats countryman Federico Coria in @CordobaOpen SF.
Cerundolo becomes 1st @ATPTour debutant to reach a final since @Santi_Ventura at 2004 Casablanca and youngest Argentine in an ATP final since @ChuchoAcasuso, 18, at 2001 @ArgentinaOpen.
— ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) February 28, 2021
