Griekspoor Outlasts Cerundolo in Brussels Epic

In a showcase of supreme physical durability and late-match poise, Dutch powerhouse Tallon Griekspoor engineered a stunning turnaround at the Brussels ATP 250. Griekspoor rallied from a set down and a late break deficit in the decider to overcome Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4). The victory secures Griekspoor his first career indoor final and his seventh ATP Tour final overall.

Cerundolo Dictates Early Play on the Fast Brussels Indoor Hard Court

In the opening set, Francisco Cerundolo exploited the low-bouncing, fast indoor hard court conditions in Brussels. Utilizing his heavy topspin forehand with exceptional racket-head speed, the Argentine pushed Griekspoor well behind the baseline. Cerundolo broke the Dutchman's serve twice, showcasing a masterclass in aggressive baseline play that quickly wrapped up the first set 2-6.

Griekspoor struggled to find his rhythm early on, failing to dial in his flat first-serve delivery. On indoor hard courts, timing is everything, and the Dutchman’s racket setup—typically optimized for high-power baseline exchanges—looked slightly out of sync against Cerundolo’s rapid-fire directional changes. According to official data from the ATP Tour, Cerundolo won over 80% of his first-serve points in this opening phase, leaving Griekspoor with few opportunities to mount an offensive.

Griekspoor Calibrates the Serve to Level the Match in Set Two

The second set saw a complete shift in momentum as Griekspoor adjusted his court positioning and serve placement. By targeting Cerundolo's backhand wing with high-velocity kick serves, the Dutchman neutralized the Argentine's aggressive return game. Griekspoor raised his first-serve percentage from a dismal 52% in the first set to an impressive 74% in the second, securing a crucial break of serve to take the set 6-3.

This adjustment shifted the physical load of the rally. Griekspoor began utilizing his kinetic energy more efficiently, shortening the points with crisp mid-court volleys and precise flat forehands. Cerundolo’s unforced error count climbed as he was forced to generate pace from defensive positions, setting the stage for a dramatic deciding set.

Clawing Back From a 3-5 Deficit in the Deciding Set Tiebreak

The final set was a test of raw durability and mental resilience. Cerundolo appeared to have the match secured when he broke Griekspoor's serve to lead 5-3, serving for a place in his third final of the season. However, Griekspoor refused to capitulate, exploiting a series of tight forehands from the Argentine to break back immediately and eventually force a deciding tiebreak.

In the high-pressure tiebreak, Griekspoor's superior indoor pedigree shone through. He secured an early mini-break with a blistering down-the-line forehand winner and held his nerve to close out the match 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4). This hard-fought victory marks the first indoor final of Griekspoor's career, where he will face either Arthur Fils or Jan-Lennard Struff. To see how his potential opponent fared, read our report on Struff's semifinal battle against Fils.

Rivalry Matchup & Player Profiles

With this victory, the head-to-head record between Tallon Griekspoor and Francisco Cerundolo is now tied at 1-1. Their only previous meeting occurred at the 2022 Miami Open, where Cerundolo edged out a tight three-set victory on outdoor hard courts. This Brussels semifinal showcase demonstrated how much Griekspoor’s indoor game has matured, allowing him to neutralize higher-ranked opponents despite a significant gap in the current ATP rankings.

While Cerundolo possesses a higher peak ranking and more career singles titles, Griekspoor’s tactical flexibility on fast indoor hard courts makes him a dangerous opponent in late-season conditions. His ability to withstand heavy baseline pressure and execute under maximum stress remains his greatest asset on the professional tour.