Full Breakdown
Cerundolo Makes History at Queen's Club, Winning Longest Final Ever
6/22/2026, 2:39:19 AM
Historic Victory at the HSBC Championships
On 21 June 2026, seventh-seed Francisco Cerúndolo (Argentina) defeated eighth-seed Tommy Paul (USA) 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-3 in the HSBC Championships final at the Queen’s Club, London. The win gave Cerúndolo his first ATP 500 title and his fifth career title overall. The contest lasted over three hours, establishing a new record for the longest final in the tournament’s history.
Key Players and Personal Milestones
Cerúndolo reached the final after four of his five matches required a deciding set, accumulating more than 11 hours of court time during the week. Paul entered as the 2024 champion and was on a nine-match winning streak at Queen’s. Cerúndolo’s father, Alejandro, attended the final for the first time outside Argentina, overcoming a long-standing fear of flying. Throughout the week the Argentine kept a Diego Maradona Argentina shirt in his player’s box as a personal motivator.
Match Data & Statistics
- Final score: 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-3.
- Duration: reported as 3 h 2 m (BBC, Guardian) and 3 h 3 m (Sky Sports).
- Cerúndolo saved two break points in the third set and won on his fifth match point; Paul saved three match points while serving at 2-5.
- Prize money: €483,145 for Cerúndolo, €259,940 for Paul; total purse €2,583,330.
- Ranking points: 500 for the champion, 330 for the runner-up. Cerúndolo moved to world No. 21 and 12th in the ATP Race; Paul remained at No. 24.
Impact: First Argentine Champion and Wimbledon Outlook
Cerúndolo became the first Argentine man to win the Queen’s Club title, a milestone for Argentine tennis on grass. The victory positions him as a strong contender for Wimbledon, which begins a week later, and underscores the growing depth of Argentine players on the ATP Tour.
Official Statements & Responses
Cerúndolo thanked his parents for arriving for the final two games and described the moment as “incredible” and “unimaginable” for an Argentine on grass. He highlighted the emotional significance of his father’s first flight to watch him compete abroad. Paul congratulated Cerúndolo, calling him the “better player” and expressing appreciation for the high-quality match. The LTA called the final a “historic event” and praised Cerúndolo’s resilience.
Pre-Match Expectations and Counterpoint
Betting analysts and commentators listed Paul as the overwhelming favorite, citing his superior grass-court record and recent form. Some observers noted Cerúndolo’s limited success on grass prior to 2023, suggesting his victory would be an upset.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact match length (3 h 2 m vs 3 h 3 m) and on the first-set tiebreak score (4-7 vs 5-7). No additional official clarification was provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I want to thank my mum and my dad, they arrived for the last two games,” — Francisco Cerúndolo, Player
- “My dad has a phobia of planes. Since I was born, I never travelled with him and he never came to watch me in tournaments.” — Francisco Cerúndolo, Player
- “We always seem to have unreal matches and today you were the better player.” — Tommy Paul, Opponent
- “It’s not easy to speak right now, but I want to start with Tommy. We have a great relationship off the court, many great battles,” — Francisco Cerúndolo, Player
What’s Next
Cerúndolo will enter Wimbledon as the 21st-ranked player, carrying 500 ranking points into the Grand Slam. Paul retains a top-30 ranking and will also compete in the tournament. Both will aim to translate their Queen’s performances into success on the grass courts of SW19.
