Cerundolo sees off Nakashima to set up Queen's final with Paul
Francisco Cerundolo booked his place in the final at Queen's Club with a hard-fought 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4 win over the American Brandon Nakashima on Saturday.
Cerundolo will face American eighth seed Tommy Paul in Sunday's decider after he beat Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-3, 6-3.
"I'm super happy because it's my first final in an ATP 500," Cerundolo said on court at the end of the match.
The pair went toe-to-toe on the grass at the Wimbledon warm-up event in the first set before the 24-year-old Nakashima got the edge in the tiebreak, taking it 7/5.
The 27-year-old Argentinian hit back in the second, breaking to go up 4-3 and picking up the next two games to square the match.
The decider went on serve initially until Cerundolo produced a perfect cross-court forehand that left Nakashima swishing at air.
The break put him 3-2 up but he couldn't retain the advantage with the American, now coached by former world no.6 Wayne Ferreira who won at Queen's in 1992, breaking straight back.
Cerundolo, who won a grass title at Eastbourne in 2023, broke again to go 5-4 up and duly served out for the match.
"It was a really challenging match, really tough," said Cerundolo.
"I think Brandon is playing incredible too. He was playing amazing during the whole weekend today also.
"I'm super happy because I just stayed there competing."
Paul, a Queen's champion in 2024, continued his impressive form this week against Humbert, having not dropped a set in west London.
The 29-year-old will seek to claim his second trophy of the season, after lifting the clay-court title in Houston, when he meets Cerundolo in Sunday's final.
Cerundolo boasts a 5-2 lead over Paul in their previous career meetings, including a three-sets victory over the American in the round of 32 at Queen's three years ago.
Z.Peterson--CT
