Francisco Cerundolo Defeats Zhang Zhizhen in straight sets to reach first semi-finals in Eastbourne

Fourth seed Francisco Cerundolo advanced to his first tour-level semi-final on grass Thursday with a 6-2, 6-3 win against Zhang Zhizhen at the Rothesay International in Eastbourne.

“Super happy. I think I played quite [well] on this match on grass, so I’m really excited to be in the semi-finals, to play here on centre court,” Cerundolo said in his on-court interview. “It was amazing, a lot of people. Super happy to be in my first semi-final in a grass tournament, so really excited for tomorrow.”

Cerundolo is pursuing his first ATP Tour title of the season and second overall. All three of his previous tour-level finals, including one earlier this year in Lyon, have come on clay.

But the Argentine is starting to look more comfortable on the grass. Entering the week, he owned a 2-4 tour-level record on the surface. That has not shown in his two matches at the ATP 250, where he has made the last four without losing a set.

Cerundolo was opportunistic against Zhang, who was trying to secure his first ATP Tour crown this week. The Argentine converted all four of the break points he earned to advance after 69 minutes.