SEPT 19 - 21, 2025 | SAN FRANCISCO
Francisco Cerundolo maintained his perfect Laver Cup record on Saturday at Chase Center, securing another critical point for Team World with a straight-sets victory over Holger Rune 6-3, 7-6(5) and giving his team an overall 5-3 lead in the competition.
Playing his first match at Laver Cup 2025 – and his first on Saturday in three editions – the Argentine delivered a composed, attacking display to maintain his undefeated record with Team World.
Ranked No. 21 and as high as 18 earlier this season, Cerundolo entered the match riding the euphoria of Alex de Minaur’s earlier heroics. Australia’s No.1 stunned six-time Laver Cup champion Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-4 in the opening session, leveling the leaderboard and energizing Team World.
The 26-year-old Cerundolo carried that momentum into his battle with Rune. Cerundolo had defeated the Dane at a Challenger in 2019, while Rune turned the tables in 2023 in a gripping five-set win at Roland Garros. This time, on the black court of San Francisco, the Argentine’s blend of heavy forehands and sharp volleys proved decisive.
Cerundolo drew first blood in the sixth game of the first set, breaking for a 4-2 lead. Serving at 5-3, he stayed composed under pressure and sealed the opening set 6-3. The second set began with another early break, Cerundolo forcing errors with his penetrating forehand. Rune broke back straight away, and the match continued on serve with De Minaur returning to the bench to lend advice following his post-match media obligations.
Rune’s confidence rising, the Dane continued to press Cerundolo’s serve, while holding his own with ease. But, as Captain Agassi later stated in the on-court interview, Cerundolo proved to be, “just the Rock of Gibraltar.” Added the Argentine, grinning broadly as he had done throughout the match, “Hopefully, I can bring more wins to the team.”
In the final count, Cerundolo landed 30 winner’s to Rune’s 20 over the two-hour contest, and two of those came in the last two points of the second set tiebreaker. “I tried to put pressure on him and look for the next good shot,” Cerundolo said. “I build the points really good, tried to stay there, wait for the correct ball to attack. I think I did it quite okay with my forehand.”
Cerundolo’s victory marked another contribution to Team World’s growing confidence under new captain Agassi. Having reached the quarterfinals in Indian Wells and Miami, and semifinals in Madrid and Munich earlier this year, the Argentine has proven himself a reliable teammate.
“I think we had a great day, me, Alex, all the time,” Cerundolo said. “I think putting Team World ahead is fantastic to get into the evening now.”
With Team World building momentum, attention now shifts to tonight’s marquee showdown: reigning US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz against Team World’s top prospect, Taylor Fritz. The last match on Saturday night features the two Team World Alex’s – De Minaur and Michelsen – against Rune and Casper Ruud for Team Europe.
