ROME, May 3, 2021
Following his maiden triumph on the ATP Tour on home soil in Cordoba in early March, Juan Manuel Cerundolo clinched his first Challenger title by winning the Roma Garden Open II. In the only sixth all-teenage final since 2007, the 19-year-old Argentine battled past 18-year-old Italian wild card entry Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
Cerundolo defeated French qualifier Tristan Lamasine, Alexandre Muller of France as well as Italians Giulio Zeppieri and No. 8 seed Alessandro Giannessi en-route to the championship match.
The World No. 176 capitalized on five of his nine break-point chances to prevail after one hour and 44 minutes.
Shot of the day from Flavio Cobolli in Rome. 🔥
An incredible week for the 18-year-old 🇮🇹, reaching the final in just his fourth #ATPChallenger appearance. Remember the name. pic.twitter.com/SwtUflQc8k
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) May 2, 2021
“I’m too happy. I can’t describe it right now. It’s amazing to win my first Challenger. I’m having a great year, winning my first ATP title and now my first Challenger. I just can’t believe it. It’s inspiring for sure. I’m motivated to work even harder,” Cerundolo told the ATP Challenger Tour website.
Cerundolo earned €6,190 in prize money as well as 80 ATP Ranking points and has become Argentina’s youngest Challenger champion since Federico Delbonis in 2009.
