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Francisco Cerundolo scored one of the biggest wins of his career on Monday, beating Felix Auger-Aliassime in the third round of the 2023 Miami Open. The Argentine, in fact, considers it one of the "most important" victories of his budding career.
The win marked only the third win over a top-10 player for Cerundolo, who had previously beaten Casper Ruud (at the 2022 Swedish Open) and Andrey Rublev (at the 2022 Hamburg European Open) -- both on clay.
Speaking to the press after his 6-2, 7-5 demolition of the Canadian, Francisco Cerundolo was understandably upbeat, declaring that it was among the top-3 best matches he has ever played in his career.
"It's one of the most important victories of my career. This is the third Top-10 victory along with [Casper] Ruud and [Andrey] Rublev, but my first on hardcourts. Clearly this is in the Top-3 of the best games I've played in my career," Cerundolo said.
Cerundolo went on to joke that the only things he wished he could improve were minor stuff, such as not making a double fault at important junctures or converting his first match point in future clashes. Overall, the World No. 31 was pleased with the "great" game he played on Monday against a very good opponent.
“I don't know what could be improved... not making a double fault at 4-3 in the second set. Nothing else. Not suffer so much and win it in the first match point," Francisco Cerundolo joked.
“I really played very well today. I got a little tense at 4-3 and did that double fault. But afterwards I made almost no mistakes, I had no bumps, I was good on the right, I varied the speeds, I was untouchable across. I played a great game," he added.
Francisco Cerundolo takes on Lorenzo Sonego in the fourth round of the Miami Open
After his win over Felix Auger-Aliassime, Francisco Cerundolo will take on Lorenzo Sonego in the fourth round of the 2023 Miami Open. The Italian beat 12th seed Frances Tiafoe in straight sets in the third round to book a meeting with the Argentine.
Looking forward to the clash, Cerundolo was full of hope, declaring that he should be able to get the job done against Sonego if he can recreate the form he displayed against Auger-Aliassime.
“With Sonego it will be a new game. I have never played against him. He is a very good player. I'm looking forward to that game to try to play as well as today. If I play like this, I think I can win," Cerundolo said.
