Francisco Cerundolo steadies after scare, draws Vit Kopriva in Argentina Open quarterfinal
Francisco Cerundolo navigated a volatile second round in Buenos Aires and now turns his focus to Vit Kopriva in Friday’s quarterfinals. The top seed survived a dramatic finish to reach the last eight and enters the day installed as the tournament favorite as of Friday afternoon ET.
From first-set cruise to second-set brink
What began as a breeze quickly became a battle for the Argentine. Cerundolo raced through the opening set 6-0 in just 15 minutes, dictating with aggressive first-strike tennis and clean serving that left Hugo Dellien little margin to breathe. The script flipped in set two: rallies lengthened, Dellien raised his level, and the Argentine’s composure was tested.
The tension peaked in a sequence that saw Cerundolo save eight set points, repeatedly resisting the push toward a deciding set. Emotions bubbled over during a courtside exchange with coach Nicolás Pastor, a flashpoint that underscored the stakes and the pressure of performing at home. Ultimately, Cerundolo corralled the momentum in a tiebreak, closing the door 7-6 with a cathartic roar that drew a surge from the Buenos Aires crowd.
Top seed status, home backing, and a wide-open draw
As play resumes Friday, the world No. 19 carries the No. 1 seed designation and the energy of a partisan crowd. Five of the top eight seeds have reached the quarterfinals, but the title picture remains fluid, with multiple in-form contenders and no runaway favorite. Even so, market indicators placed Cerundolo as the most likely champion by Friday at 1: 30 PM ET, reflecting confidence in his clay-court pedigree and ability to ride the home-soil wave.
For francisco cerundolo, the next step is matching that external confidence with a steadier performance than his second-round rollercoaster. The forehand—a weapon when he’s set and stepping in—will remain the foundation. But first-serve percentage, court-occupancy discipline, and emotional management could determine whether he advances without another scare.
Kopriva arrives with momentum after a statement upset
Vit Kopriva earned his quarterfinal berth by knocking out Matteo Berrettini, a notable scalp that speaks to the Czech’s resilience and balance off both wings. Kopriva isn’t likely to overwhelm Cerundolo with raw pace, but his compact technique and willingness to extend points can frustrate an opponent eager to pull the trigger early. If he absorbs pace and picks his counterpunching moments, he can force the top seed to hit one more ball under pressure—particularly on the backhand diagonal.
That dynamic puts a premium on Cerundolo’s ability to finish points on his own terms. Any drift in depth or rhythm could tilt a few key games toward Kopriva and invite the kind of tense scoreboard pressure that nearly sent Thursday’s match to a decider.
Tactical keys: first strike vs. counterpunch
– Cerundolo’s serve and plus-one patterns: Early-forehand aggression behind the first ball should help him control neutral rallies and open the court to his favored inside-out and inside-in combinations. A healthy first-serve percentage will curb Kopriva’s looks at second-serve returns, where the Czech can chip and stretch points.
– Backhand stability: When pinned crosscourt, Cerundolo’s backhand needs to hold shape and depth. Flattening the line selectively can disrupt Kopriva’s court positioning and prevent the Czech from looping back into neutral.
– Emotional temperature: Thursday showed how quickly momentum can swing. Composure—especially in longer games and tiebreak scenarios—may be the difference between a routine win and another nail-biter.
Schedule and stakes
The quarterfinal stage is slated for Friday, February 13 (ET), with semifinal places on the line and a clear pathway emerging toward Sunday’s trophy match. For Cerundolo, a victory would keep the top seed on track in front of home fans and validate his status as the man to beat this week. For Kopriva, another upset would cement a breakout run and inject fresh unpredictability into a draw that has already shown its depth.
However it unfolds, the matchup promises a stylistic contrast—first-strike ferocity against measured resistance—with the atmosphere in Buenos Aires likely amplifying every surge and stumble. If Cerundolo channels the clean hitting from his 6-0 opener and tempers the turbulence from his second set, the path to the semifinals is there. If the match gets dragged deep into the trenches, Kopriva has already shown he can make a favorite work for every inch.
