Cerundolo Stuns Top Seed Ruud in Gstaad Quarter-Finals

Juan Manuel Cerundolo scored the biggest win of his career, defeating Casper Ruud 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 at the EFG Swiss Open Gstaad to enter the semi-finals and return to the top 100.

Cerundolo celebrates stunning upset over Ruud in Gstaad quarter-finals.

Historic Upset in the Swiss Alps

World No. 109 Juan Manuel Cerundolo stunned two-time Gstaad champion Casper Ruud in a thrilling 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 quarter-final clash at the EFG Swiss Open Gstaad on July 18, 2025. The Argentine's aggressive play and tactical flexibility led to his first win over a top 20 player, lifting him 20 places to 89th in the live ATP rankings.

Match Breakdown: A Three-Set Battle

Cerundolo dominated the first set 6-2 with precise lobs and aggressive baseline play. Ruud, who is recovering from a knee injury, came back to take the second set 6-1, winning all break points and losing just three points on serve. In the decisive third set, Ruud was 3-0 up but Cerundolo made a brilliant comeback thanks to favourable wind conditions, winning six games in a row to win 6-3.

"I stayed mentally strong, didn't let the match slip away. When the wind was in my favour, I started hitting harder. That was the secret of my comeback," Cerundolo said.

Cerundolo converted six of nine break points, better than Ruud's five of fifteen, although both players scored 83 points in total. His high, looping forehand frustrated Ruud, ending the Norwegian's impressive 10-0 record at Gstaad.

Semi-Final Showdown: Cerundolo vs. Buse

Cerundolo will now face Peruvian qualifier Ignacio Busse in an all-South American semifinal on Saturday. Busse defeated Roman Andres Burruchaga 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in his second ATP main draw appearance. Cerundolo is 1-0 on clay courts, so the contest is expected to be very competitive.

Other Gstaad Highlights

• Alexander Bublik (No. 2 seed) beat Francisco Comesaña 6-4, 6-3, his 10th clay-court win this season.

• Arthur Cazaux beat Swiss wild card Jerome Kim 7-6(3), 3-6, 7-5 to reach the semifinals, where he will face Bublik.

Cerundolo Brothers Shine

Juan Manuel's brother, Francisco Cerundolo, also reached the semifinals of the Nordea Open in Bastad, where he beat Damir Dzumhur 6-0, 3-6, 6-3. The siblings' success together raises the possibility of a "Dolo double", as both seek the title this weekend.

Why It Matters

Cerundolo's turnaround is a sign of new life being breathed into his career after his 2021 Cordoba title. His tactical adaptability and mental toughness in Gstaad highlight the Argentine's clay-court prowess, making him a player to watch in the semifinals.

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