Francisco Cerundolo described the ‘amazing’ day as his brother defeated world number one Jannik Sinner on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Normally Francisco is the main headline in the Cerundolo family having been a top 20 player and seeded for most Grand Slam events.
However, today was much different as brother Juan Manuel knocked out world number one Jannik Sinner in five sets.
At the same time as things were unfolding on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Francisco was playing Hugo Gaston with the Argentinian eventually winning 2-6 6-4 6-2 6-1.
After his victory Francisco admitted it was an ‘amazing’ day but it meant that playing his match was ‘super stressful’ when he realized what had been happening, “Yeah, it was an amazing day for the family, for me, for my brother, for everyone,” Francisco said in his press conference.
“Yeah, before the matches, we say with the family that we have to split out, some to my brother, then some to me. But I told them, Okay, start with my brother, and then you see how it goes. Then some can come to my match, then when he finishes, all come. I think when I started, he was down a set and 4-1 down. Yeah, I keep playing, I keep playing. And then I was one set all, and I sit down. I look up to my box, and my family wasn’t there yet. I ask, What’s the score? They told me, like, 2-1 in sets. Okay, I said, Good.
“Then I started playing. In the fourth one, I was going to the towel. People started screaming to me, Your brother is winning, your brother is winning, keep going. I was, like, Come on, boys, stop talking to me, because I’m playing the fourth set, am super stressed here.
“People started saying, Your brother won, your brother won. I was 3-1 up in the fourth. And then I say, Okay, if he wins, I have to win. Please focus, focus, focus. Yeah, it was tough to play the fourth set, but I’m super happy with the win.”
Francisco is the 25th seed at Roland Garros and will face Zachary Svajda in the third round on Saturday.
