“I played the game of my life”: Francisco Cerúndolo's reflection after striking the blow at the Masters 1000 in Miami

The cement tour continues its course a few weeks after rotating towards brick dust in what will be the preview of Roland Garros. The eyes remain focused on the United States with the Masters 1000 in Miami, a tournament that has an Argentine presence and one of them became the surprise of the event: Francisco Cerúndolo. The 103rd in the world eliminated in the round of 32 Gael Monfils, the current 24th number on the planet, with a resounding 6-4 and 6-2 in an hour and nine minutes of play.

The greatest of the brothers enjoyed his round pass to the fullest and put his performance at the top of his personal ranking. “The truth is that I am happy. I think I played an impressive match from start to finish. I was very aggressive, my right wing never ran, like on the South American tour. Very happy because it was hard weeks between Indian Wells and the Challenger that I didn't play well and here I started from youngest to oldest. I already played an impressive match with Opelka and today I think I played the best of my life against an opponent who is very tough and has been at the high level for years,” he explained after the match.

And he added, on the fundamental pillars to achieve victory: “It was very hard. I felt at a very high intensity. At all points I think I was very solid, when I stayed I was aggressive and I didn't despair. He brings a lot of balls, he's too fast. And I think that was the key.” Francisco took advantage of four of the six break points he won throughout the match and defended the five occasions that the Frenchman sought to do the same.

In the round of 16 he will face Frances Tiafoe (31°), who just comes from eliminating his brother, Juan Manuel, with a solid 6-2 and 6-2. “Juanma didn't think he played a great game. But the truth is that Frances has been playing great tennis since last year. He is very aggressive, on this court he plays very well, he serves very well. Today and tomorrow morning we are going to enjoy this victory and start preparing for Tuesday's match. I have to focus on my game that is flowing and enjoy. The atmosphere was impressive, they were screaming from all sides. A lot of Argentines came, which is a Latin city”, he analyzed about it.

Cerundolo had a good performance pending in one of the cement tournaments in the United States after falling in the first round of Indian Wells with Chinese Shang Juncheng and neither did he pass the opening match in the Phoenix Challenger against the French Arthur Rinderknech. In Miami he started his way against Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, eliminated the huge American punch Ryan Opelka and this Monday night he took down Gael Monfils.

THE SUMMARY OF FRANCISCO CERUNDOLO'S VICTORY OVER GAEL MONFILS

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