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Cerundolo sees off Nakashima to reach Queen's final / Photo: Adrian DENNIS - AFP
Cerundolo sees off Nakashima to reach Queen's final
Seventh seed 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.
"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 of the Wimbledon warm-up in the first set before the 24-year-old Nakashima got the edge in the tiebreak, taking it 7/5.
The 27-year-old Argentine 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 with break 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."
Later, American eighth seed Tommy Paul will meet France's Ugo Humbert in the other semi-final.
A.Gagnon--SMC
