COMO/STARNBERG, September 6, 2021
Argentine teenager Juan Manuel Cerundolo captured his second ATP Challenger Tour career title by lifting the trophy of the 15th edition of the Internazionali Citta di Como. The No. 4 seed of the €44,820 clay-court event hosted by Tennis Como in Italy defeated local favourite Gian Marco Moroni 7-5, 7-6(7) in Sunday’s singles final.
Cerundolo battled his way to the championship match with wins in the top half of the draw over Frenchman Tristan Lamasine, Italian young gun Giulio Zeppieri, Nino Serdarusic of Croatia, and top seed Daniel Altmaier from Germany.
The 19-year-old Buenos Aires native broke Moroni’s serve six times to secure victory in two hours and 17 minutes.
COMO CHAMPION 💪🏆
🇦🇷 @juanmacerundolo claims his second #ATPChallenger title, not dropping a set en route to the Como crown. pic.twitter.com/YHjzNhl22Y
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) September 5, 2021
Cerundolo, who celebrated his maiden triumph on the ATP Tour on home soil at the Cordoba Open in late February, pocketed €6,190 in prize money as well as 80 ATP Ranking points.
“This is the first time I’ve come to Como, I wanted to congratulate Gian Marco on the match he played. It was a nice tournament and I had a lot of fun during my days in Como. Thanks to all of you who have come and watched the matches. It is nice to play in front of spectators,” Cerundolo said during the trophy ceremony
“It’s nice to be able to play again in front of the public,” said Gian Marco Moroni. “Thanks to all of you who came today. We are happy with this. Thanks also to the organization of the tournament for what he has done for us players, and congratulations to Juan Manuel Cerundolo who played a great match and is having a great season. Finally, thanks to my family and my coach who have been with me this week.”
Brazilians take doubles title
On Saturday, Rafael Matos and Felipe Meligeni Rodrigues Alves claimed the doubles title. The all-Brazilian tandem edged past No. 2 seeds Luis David Martinez from Venezuela and Italian Andrea Vavassori 6-7(2), 6-4, 10-6. The final lasted one hour and 45 minutes.
Matos and Meligeni Rodrigues Alves split €2,670 in prize money and earned 80 ATP Doubles Ranking points.
