Francisco Cerundolo battles to victory over Tommy Paul in final of 2023 Eastbourne International

Published 01/07/2023 at 16:20 GMT

Francisco Cerundolo faces a stern task next week in the first round of Wimbledon when he comes up against Italian youngster Jannik Sinner. However, he will enter the match-up in winning form after securing victory over America's Tommy Paul in the final of the Eastbourne International on Saturday afternoon, with the Argentine hitting 28 winners along the way.

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Francisco Cerundolo beat Tommy Paul 6-4 1-6 6-4 in the final of the Eastbourne International on Saturday afternoon.

The pair were on the south coast to get some grass-court practice ahead of next week’s Grand Slam at Wimbledon, and the Argentine will hope to carry his winning form into the action in SW19. The win is Cerundolo’s first title on grass.

The victory also helped the 24-year-old extend his personal record of 28 match wins so far this season, a total he is almost certain to extend this year.

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However he may find next week a tough one as he faces highly rated Italian youngster Jannik Sinner in the first round at Wimbledon.

Paul had beaten Gregoire Barrere to reach the final while Cerundolo saw off one of his opponent’s American compatriots, Mackenzie McDonald.

Paul will rue his lack of ruthlessness after converting four of the 10 break points that came his way.

Cerundolo and Paul played for almost two hours in a battling display from both, but Cerundolo’s 28 winners gave him the advantage.

While Paul had levelled things with a powerful showing in the second set, which saw Cerendulo claim a single game, he regained his composure to take the third set for the second tour title of his career.

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Stream daily highlights from Wimbledon at 10pm UK time, as well as the two singles finals live on July 15 and 16, on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

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