Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo advanced to the European Open quarterfinals yesterday, beating American Martin Damm 6-4, 7-6 (4) to set up a meeting with French qualifier Clement Chidekh. The third-seeded Argentine closed out the second set in a tiebreak to reach the last eight at the ATP 250 tournament. His victory gave Argentina a quarterfinalist on a day when compatriot Mariano Navone was eliminated.
Cerundolo’s serve helped him through the match. He hit 12 aces and saved six of the seven break points he faced, limiting Damm’s opportunities to turn pressure into a lead. The American finished with 36 unforced errors, compared with Cerundolo’s 20. Damm, who entered the main draw as a lucky loser after losing in qualifying, pushed the second set to a tiebreak. Cerundolo took it 7-4 to finish the match without needing a deciding set.
The 28-year-old now faces an opponent enjoying a breakthrough week. Chidekh beat Britain’s Jacob Fearnley 7-6 (4), 6-2 to reach his first ATP Tour quarterfinal, following an earlier victory over seventh seed Botic van de Zandschulp. Cerundolo entered the week ranked No. 21, while Chidekh was No. 152. The Frenchman’s results in Brussels, however, have already carried him past two main-draw opponents after coming through qualifying.
Navone could not join Cerundolo in the quarterfinals. The eighth-seeded Argentine lost 7-6 (4), 7-5 to Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands, with both sets decided by narrow margins. The European Open continues through October 25. For Cerundolo, the next step is a match against Chidekh for a place in the semifinals.
