Francisco Cerundolo defeated Tommy Paul 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 in the final of the HSBC Championships on Sunday to claim his first ATP 500 title. The Argentine dedicated the victory to his father, who flew overseas for the first time in 36 years to watch the match. The win marked Cerundolo as the first Argentine champion at Queen’s Club.
Cerundolo overcame a first-set deficit against Paul after the American took an early lead. He rallied to win the next two sets in a match that lasted three hours and two minutes, ending Paul’s nine-match winning streak at the event.
The 27-year-old credited his parents’ presence in the stands for making the occasion special. His father, Alejandro Cerundolo, had avoided long-haul flights since developing a fear following the 1972 Andes plane crash and later experiences as a coach.
“It’s the first time my dad takes a flight and the first time he came to watch me outside Argentina, so I want to congratulate my dad for taking a plane and coming here,” Cerundolo said in his post-match interview. “It’s Father’s Day in Argentina, so this is for you.”
Alejandro had previously attempted short flights and therapy but made the journey from Buenos Aires to London specifically for the final. Cerundolo is scheduled to begin his Eastbourne Open campaign on Wednesday.
