Argentina Open 2026: Cerúndolo crowned in front of home faithful

Third time was the charm for Argentine tennis star Francisco Cerúndolo (19th ATP singles ranked), who beat Argentine-born Italian Luciano Darderi 6-4, 6-2 to win the 2026 Argentina Open after losing twice in the finals before (2021 and 2025). Surrounded by rumors about the future due to the 2028 Saudi Arabia Masters 1000, the tournament’s final match became a display of everything the South American swing brings to the tour: passion, intensity, and love for the game.   It was a frantic game with both players bringing their best to the Guillermo Vilas Center Court under the watchful eye of ATP president Andrea Gaudenzi.  Cerúndolo got ahead early, breaking his rival’s serve at 1-1. The Argentine underwent a torrent of suspense the very next game, facing three break points before holding on. The match remained a blow-for-blow affair until the end, where once again Cerúndolo needed more than one chance to wrap it up. The second started much in the same way. After a row of three successive breaks, Cerúndolo emerged with a 2-1 lead and, most importantly, control of the match. On the other hand, Darderi appeared to be rattled by the roar of the fans. He also complained about calls from the electronic system. After getting a call for a foot fault — when a serving player’s feet touch the lines before they hit the ball — he smirked and shouted, “Isn’t it odd?” Despite struggles with his serve — just 53% effectiveness — Cerúndolo was able to close out the match on his second match point and win his first final in three tries. A win a long time in the making “It’s a special win, of course,” Cerúndolo said at the press conference. “Because of all that came with it, after losing two [finals], facing [Darderi], who was playing really well. It was going to be a tough match, and I think I played great from start to finish, my best of the tournament.” He insisted the final score was “a lie,” highlighting how every game and every point was fought for tooth and nail. Cerúndolo, who grew up in a tennis-obsessed family and is brother to professional player Juan Manuel, admitted he had dreamt of winning the title many times.  “This win is the result of several years of work. Perhaps people see me play and think it’s all talent, but very few people have seen me training,” he said. “I’m thrilled now, but this is a tough sport, and tomorrow you already have to be thinking about the next match. The time for celebration and the ecstasy of winning are very short.” Darderi, meanwhile, said he was “very happy” Cerúndolo got to win the title at Buenos Aires, given that he’s a “great friend.” “It was his third final here; he’s Argentina’s number one, a great guy with a great family, so he truly deserves it,” he said. Darderi insisted he didn’t particularly suffer the crowd and that he “couldn’t really complain,” given that his lows were the product of his own making. “I think that’s something I can blame myself a bit for. I got a tad angry, missing chances for getting stuck in what had just happened,” Darderi said. “But that’s also part of playing in the center court, with the fans’ noise, and that got to me a bit.” “If you don’t blow off steam every once in a while, it’s worse, I think. But you also have to try to control yourself. Today, I was a bit overwhelmed by the situation. I went into the court to play, not to win.” Ultimately, the win will have little impact on the rankings. Cerúndolo remains Argentina’s top-ranked star at 19, with Darderi — who plays under the Italian flag — climbing just a single spot, to 21.  However, with Gaudenzi’s visit and the future of the tournament in the air, the 2026 Argentina Open could prove a pivotal point not just for Cerúndolo’s career but also for Argentine tennis.