Cerúndolo lost in three sets to Murray in his US Open main draw debut. Photo KENA BETANCUR / AFP
Francesco Cerundolo he said goodbye quickly US Openfalling in three in the first round of the American Grand Slam against the Scots Andy Murray, former world number one and tournament champion in 2012. The Argentine, who seemed to be suffering a lot from heat and humidity, was unable to play his best tennis. But he got a standing ovation from the audience for a gesture of correctness he had at the end of the first quarter.
It was when he was serving 0-15 and 4-5 on the scoreboard. Cerúndolo scored a nice point with an obligatory right of return. But as the Argentine celebrated, Murray claimed the ball had bounced twice before his opponent hit it.
Neither Francisco nor the referee had seen the double spike, but the repetition seen on the stadium screens showed that the Brit was right, which generated whistles from certain sections of the gallery. Cerúndolo, then, did not hesitate and gave up the point, which left him 0-30 on the scoreboard. And people recognized his honesty with a shower of applause.
Cerúndolo had to work hard to win that game, six points after the one he gave to Murray, and go 5-5 on the scoreboard. He failed to win that set, which he lost 7-5, nor the next two, which went to the former leader of the table 6-3, 6-3.
The Argentine added his third consecutive defeat in a Grand Slam, a category in which he has not yet won a main draw match. The first was played in June, in Roland Garroswhere he said goodbye to the British Daniel Evans debut. Shortly thereafter he also fell in that case Wimbledon in view of Rafael Nadal. And this Monday she couldn’t with Murray in what was his first show in New York.
“I have had very difficult draws in the Grand Slams. The truth is that I usually have complex rivals for the first rounds in all tournaments. And it’s great to play with rivals like Andy here or like Rafa in Wimbledon and you learn everything. But already ok, I’ve already played them, I don’t want them to touch me anymore, “he said, sincerely, shortly after in a chat with ESPN.
“I’m quite angry, because I couldn’t play that well. Or it made me play badly. I was hoping to play a little better. I couldn’t attack as I like, play for the forehand and that played against me. And I made a lot of mistakes. “said the Argentine.
After two seasons struggling with a couple of injuries that saw him drop out of the top 170, the Briton in 51st place is once again at a highly competitive level. And against Cerúndolo he played his best game in recent months. In addition, he scored his first three-set Grand Slam victory from the round of 16 Wimbledon 2017when they won 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 and 6-4 against the French Benoit Paire.
Francisco recognized the superiority of his winner: “He played a great game. The way he played, he raised his level a lot.”
“He reads the game very well. I hadn’t hit the ball and it was already standing where I was going to hit it. It was impressive. And it makes you desperate. You have to force your shots and throws a little more and if you pick up speed, play very comfortably. there, it moves you everywhere. It attacks you, it goes to the net. And the truth is that I could not find where. I did a good service and came a return to my shoe, which I could not even attack “, reflected the Argentine .
Francisco will now focus his energies on the double, with which he will play as a couple Pedro CachinThe blue and white duo will debut against the locals Christopher Eubanks Y Ben Shelton. And then he will travel to Bologna, Italy, where he will have his baptism in Davis Cupin the group stage of the Finals which will be played from 13 to 18 September.
Source: Clarin
