Argentine captures fifth trophy and first above ATP 250 level

Francisco Cerundolo captured the biggest title of his career on Sunday at the HSBC Championships in London, where he snapped Tommy Paul’s nine-match winning streak at the event to become the first Argentine to lift the trophy at The Queen’s Club.

In a dramatic final, Cerundolo rallied from a set and a break down to earn a hard-fought 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-3 win after three hours and two minutes.

The championship match summed up the seventh seed's week in west London, where he also earned three-set victories against Aleksandar Kovacevic, Arthur Fery and Brandon Nakashima. Cerundolo had trailed by a break against Fery in the final set and was a set and a break behind against Nakashima before he turned the tables in their clash.

"I can't believe it. I fought really hard during the whole week, every match was a war and I think I got the reward," said Cerundolo, who collapsed to the ground in celebration following victory. "Winning this title for me is unbelievable. Coming from Argentina and winning Queen's, such a historic event on grass. I never imagined I'd lift this trophy."

Against Paul, a key moment came at 4-2 in the third set, when Cerundolo recovered from squandering a 40/0 lead to hold. The 27-year-old fended off two break points, eventually hitting a forehand winner to hold after a 12-minute game.

Paul saved three match points on serve at 2-5, the second with a dead net cord. However, he was not able to keep the Argentine at bay, with Cerundolo using his big forehand to seal victory in the following game on his fifth match point. The 27-year-old is now a five-time tour-level champion, with his win in London his first above ATP 250 level. Cerundolo is up six spots to No. 21 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings and leads Paul 6-2 in the pair's Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

"It has been an incredible year so far for me. First ATP 500 title and second [trophy] of the year," said Cerundolo, who also triumphed on home soil in Buenos Aires earlier in 2026. "Argentina is a fantastic country. We don't have the resources of other countries and we still compete at a high level and have many players. I am super proud of my country and representing it."

It is also the second time Cerundolo has triumphed on grass, having also won in Eastbourne in 2023. Andy Roddick and Feliciano Lopez are the only other men to have enjoyed success at both events.

Paul clinched the trophy at The Queen’s Club in 2024 but was unable to defend his title in 2025 due to injury. The American was playing in his 11th tour-level final and was chasing his sixth trophy.

Did You Know?
Cerundolo is the fifth man to win multiple tour-level titles this season, joining Jannik Sinner (5), Ben Shelton (3), Carlos Alcaraz (2) and Daniil Medvedev (2).