The atmosphere will undoubtedly be electric for a blockbuster battle in the Buenos Aires final between Francisco Cerundolo and Joao Fonseca on Sunday afternoon. It is a showdown that features Argentina’s No. 1 player in Cerundolo against a player who is hyped as a potential future world No. 1 in Fonseca.
The 18-year-old’s rise is underway in earnest thanks to a 17-2 record in his last 19 matches dating back to a triumph at the 2024 NextGen ATP Finals. It has been full steam ahead for Fonseca in 2025, with a Challenger title, an Australian Open upset of Andrey Rublev, and Buenos Aires victories over Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Federico Coria, Mariano Navone, and Laslo Djere. The 99th-ranked Brazilian has played three consecutive three-setters and was dealing with an apparent abdominal issue toward the end of his semifinal showdown against Djere.
Cerundolo played only one three-setter on his way to a second appearance in the Buenos Aires championship match (lost to Diego Schwartzman in 2021). The 28th-ranked Argentine ousted his brother (Juan Manuel), Luciano Darderi, and Pedro Martinez in straight sets to go along with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 upset of top seed Alexander Zverev.
This marks Cerundolo’s sixth ATP final appearance and he is 3-1 in these situations since falling to Schwartzman at this same tournament four years ago. Fonseca had never been past an ATP quarterfinal prior this week.
Given the enormity of the situation and both the physical and mental toll that Fonseca has endured in Buenos Aires, he probably has to win this one quickly if he wants to win it at all. But that won’t be easy against an opponent who has been the best player all week long in front of his home crowd.
Pick: Cerundolo in 3
