Luciano Darderi secured his spot in the Italian Open semi-finals after beating Rafael Jodar 7-6(5), 5-7, 6-0 in a late-night quarter-final match on May 13 in Rome [1, 2]. The contest lasted about three hours and stretched into the early hours of Thursday, May 13 [1, 2].
The match faced a brief suspension during the opening set due to smoke from fireworks at the nearby Stadio Olimpico. The smoke impaired visibility and disrupted the electronic line-calling system [1, 2]. Despite trailing 2-5 in the first-set tiebreak, Darderi rallied to take it [1, 2]. He fell behind 3-0 early in the second set but conceded that set before dominating the final 6-0 [1, 2].
Darderi called the win the best of his career, citing the support of the crowd and the chance to play in Rome. "I think it's the best win of my career because of the crowd and everything here in Rome. First time in the semi-finals, it's a dream to play here," he said. He noted the late start and slow court conditions but said he kept fighting throughout [1].
Darderi will face Casper Ruud in the semi-finals after Ruud defeated Karen Khachanov 6-1, 1-6, 6-2 on May 11 [1, 2]. Ruud's match was interrupted for nearly two and a half hours by rain but resumed with Ruud eventually claiming victory in three sets [1, 2]. This will be Ruud's first Italian Open semi-final appearance since 2023 [1, 2].
Darderi and Ruud’s semi-final is set to take place next, continuing the tournament schedule in Rome.