BUENOS AIRES/STARNBERG, October 14, 2023
Luciano Darderi headlined Friday’s quarterfinals action at the Challenger de Buenos by knocking out defending champion Juan Manuel Cerundolo from Argentina 6-3, 7-5.
The 21-year-old Italian, who was born in Villa Gesell, Argentina, sent down five aces and won 65 per cent of his first-service points to secure victory in two hours and one minute.
Darderi set the tone from the beginning of the match, breaking Cerundolo’s serve in the first game. Although the No. 2 seed recovered, Darderi managed to win the first set 6-3. In the second set, he broke in the 11th game and closed it out with outstanding performance on his serve.
Flawless performance 💫@Lucianodarderi_ defeats second seed Cerundolo 6-3, 7-5 to reach his third Challenger semifinal in a row!#ATPChallenger | @ChallengerBA pic.twitter.com/wCbKhHiowd
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) October 13, 2023
“I think I’ve improved a lot mentally throughout the tournament. Today, I was able to maintain the pressure during the match, and that was key to winning,” said Darderi.
Top seed Federico Coria from Argentina came back from a set down to outlast Jan Choinski of Great Britain 5-7, 7-6(3), 6-3 in three hours and five minutes.
“It was won by the people who supported me a lot and made me give an extra effort when the match was tough,” declared Coria during the press conference.
FRIDAY RESULTS
Quarterfinals – Singles
Luciano Darderi (ITA) def. (2) Juan Manuel Cerúndolo 6-3, 7-5
Mariano Navone (ARG) def. Franco Agamenone (ITA) 6-3 6-2
(1) Federico Coria (ARG) def. (8) Jan Choinski (GBR) 5-7, 7-6, 6-3
(3) Facundo Díaz Acosta (ARG) def. (7) Francisco Comesaña 7-6 (4), 6-4 7-6 (3)
(4) Marcelo Zormann (BRA)/Fernando Romboli (BRA) def. (1) Guido Andreozzi (ARG)/Guillermo Durán 6-2, 6-1
(3) Diego Hidalgo (ECU)/Cristian Rodriguez (COL) def. Orlando Luz (BRA)/Joao Reis Da Silva (BRA) 6-7(4), 6-4, 10-3
