Argentinian tennis sensation, Francisco Cerundolo, has carved his name in the elite annals of tennis, joining an exclusive club of active players with a 50% or higher win record against top 10 players. This achievement comes on the back of his impressive victory over formidable opponent Alex de Minaur, with a score of 7-5, 6-3, in the fourth round of the esteemed Indian Wells tournament. The win marks Cerundolo’s thirteenth triumph over a top 10 player.
Cerundolo’s euphoria was evident as he expressed his satisfaction after the match. He commended de Minaur’s calibre and fighting spirit, acknowledging the Australian’s impressive track record and their past face-off in which de Minaur emerged victorious. However, this time around, the tables turned in Cerundolo’s favor. With his latest win, Cerundolo advances to the quarter-finals, a testament to his skill and perseverance.
The Argentinian now boasts a balanced 13-13 record against top 10 players. This record places him in the company of tennis powerhouses such as Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz, all of whom have showcased an equal or greater than 50% win record against top 10 players, given a minimum of 25 matches played.
Cerundolo’s prowess was previously displayed in 2025 at the Argentina Open, where he clinched a top-10 victory against Alexander Zverev in the quarter-final with a score of 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Among his contemporaries, Djokovic holds an impressive win rate of 69% against top 10 players, a record only surpassed by Bjorn Borg’s 71.1% win rate. Djokovic’s illustrious journey began with his first win against Mariano Puerta at the 2005 Paris Masters.
World No 1 Sinner, on the other hand, holds a 42-32 record against top 10 players, having won his last 10 matches against this elite group, placing his win rate at a commendable 56.8%. His first victory against a top 10 player was against David Goffin at the 2020 Rotterdam edition.
Alcaraz, despite initial setbacks against top 10 players, has risen to prominence with a 63.2% win rate. His first major win was a thrilling five-set match against Stefanos Tsitsipas at the 2021 US Open.
Cerundolo’s journey in the Indian Wells tournament is far from over. He is slated to face world No 3 Alcaraz in the quarter-finals. Alcaraz has been in top form, winning 30 of his last 32 sets played at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, and claiming the title in the two most recent editions.
Previously, Cerundolo and Alcaraz have faced off only once at tour-level, where Alcaraz triumphed with a score of 6-1, 7-5 in the 2024 Queen’s tournament. The upcoming match promises to be an exciting spectacle as Cerundolo seeks to continue his impressive run and Alcaraz aims to defend his winning streak.