TODI/STARNBERG, August 20, 2023
Luciano Darderi has captured his maiden title on the ATP Challenger Tour by winning the 2023 Internazionali Città di Todi | Sidernestor Tennis Cup. Under the lights and in front of packed stands on Center Court of the Tennis Club Todi 1971, the 21-year-old Italian defeated Frenchman Clement Tabur 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1 on Saturday evening.
Darderi, who was born in Argentina, fired eight aces and won 80 per cent of his first-service points to succeed in two hours and 14 minutes.
Championship Point @Lucianodarderi_ 🏆
🇮🇹 #Darderi conquista il titolo degli Internazionali di Tennis Città di Todi Sidernestor Tennis Cup battendo Tabur 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1 👏#tennis #InternazionaliTodi #ATPChallenger #VisitTodi pic.twitter.com/wXcQmReXU6
— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) August 19, 2023
“I’m very happy with my first title. Todi is a special place for me. In 2020, I played the Italian National Championships after the pandemic hiatus,” said Darderi. “Today it was a tough match against a very skilled opponent. In the second set, I rushed while serving for the match, but during the toilet break, I looked at myself in the mirror and realized I needed to restart. Achieving it shows my mental growth.”
After two title wins on the ITF World Tennis Tour in Monastir, Tunisia two years ago, Darderi lifted his first Challenger trophy. The World No. 250 pocketed €9,880 in prize money as well as 75 ATP Ranking points.
“The last few months haven’t been easy. I was disappointed not to play the US Open qualifications. But I made up for it with this title, and it makes it even more beautiful,” said Darderi. “My journey has been different from many others. I didn’t have many wild cards and played a lot of ITF tournaments.
“I traveled alone because I didn’t have much money. I remember 10 weeks in Tunisia. It’s been a long journey that brought me here, and I dedicate this victory to my mother, who was celebrating her birthday tonight, and my father Gino, who has been coaching me since I was little and celebrated his birthday a few days ago.”
Romboli/Zormann triumph in doubles
Earlier in the day, Fernando Romboli and Marcelo Zormann battled past Roman Andres Burruchaga of Argentina and Orlando Luz of Brazil 6-7(13), 6-4, 10-5 to clinch the doubles title. The third-seeded Brazilians secured victory in two hours and two minutes.
Romboli and Zorman split €4,250 in prize money and earned 75 ATP Doubles Ranking points.
🏆 Champions in Todi 🏆
🇧🇷 Romboli/Zormann win the final against Burruchaga/Luz and add themselves to Todi’s roll of honor ⭐️ #tennis #InternazionaliTodi #ATPChallenger #VisitTodi pic.twitter.com/nATKnxrYwX
— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) August 19, 2023
