Google News
World No. 39 Francisco Cerundolo delivered an outstanding performance on Saturday to upset fifth-seeded Pablo Carreno Busta and reach his second ATP final. In the Bastad semifinal, Cerundolo played near a flawless match as he ousted 18th-ranked Carreno Busta 6-3 6-2.
“I think I played one of the best matches in my career today,” Cerundolo said in his on-court interview, per the ATP website. “Everything went well. I am feeling so comfortable and playing with so much confidence that it’s amazing to be playing like this.
Hopefully I can keep going and maintain my level or improve it. It’s fantastic [to be in another final]. Last year I was in the final at home in Buenos Aires and I lost pretty badly, so I hope tomorrow I can have a better match and hopefully take my first title home”.
Cerundolo dismantled Carreno Busta
Carreno Busta had the first break points of the match but Cerundolo saved two break points in the third game to avoid going down by an early break and to also take a 2-1 lead. After saving two break points, Cerundolo claimed the first break of the match in the eighth game for a 5-3 lead, before serving out for the first set in the following game.
Cerundolo then made a fast start to the second set, breaking Carreno Busta in three consecutive service games to open a 5-0 lead. Just when it seemed Cerundolo would finish the match in an absolutely impressive style, he failed to serve out for the match in the sixth game.
After losing eight consecutive games, Carreno Busta got one break back in the sixth game and also saved a match point in the seventh game to cut the deficit to 5-2. However, failing to serve out for the match and then missing out on a match point didn't impact Cerundolo, who served out for the match in his second attempt, in the eighth game. Cerundolo plays Sebastian Baez in the Bastad final.