Luciano Darderi beat Carlos Taberner 6-3 6-3 in the final of the Playa Laguna Croatia Open in Umag in rainy weather conditions to win his back-to-back title following his triumph in Bastad the previous week.
Darderi has become just the third player to win at least three tour-level titles this year joining Roland Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Bublik, who also claimed his second consecutive title in Kitzbuehel last weekend.
Darderi started July at world number 59, but has moved up 11 spots to number 35 in the ATP Live Rankings following his title in the Croatian ATP 250 tournament. He has climbed closer to his career-high of world number 32 after winning nine consecutive matches across Bastad and Umag.
The 23-year-old Italian player of Argentinean origin has also become the fourth player to win in Umag joining Fabio Fognini (2016), Marco Cecchinato (2018) and Jannik Sinner (2022).
Darderi dropped seven points in nine service games and did not face any break points. He converted three of his five break points. In the first set he dropped two points in five service games in the opening set.
Darderi earned a break in the sixth game with a forehand crosscourt winner to open up a 4-2 lead. After a short rain delay Darderi held at 15 in the ninth game to close out the first set in 40 minutes.
Darderi earned another break in the fifth game of the second set, as Taberner sent a backhand wide. Darderi held at 30 in the sixth game to open up a 4-2 lead.
Darderi held at love in the eighth game to open up a 5-3 lead and sealed the win on his second match point after a forced error. Darderi fell to the ground to celebrate his second consecutive title in as many weeks.
Darderi struggled with a left ankle injury. He felt the pain after celebrating his title. Taberner helped him reach the bench.
Darderi began playing tennis in Villa Gesell (Argentina), where he was born. His father was also a tennis player and has always been Luciano’s coach.
Darderi was inspired by Juan Martin Del Potro when he was young.
“It is something special for me. The last month has been crazy. I just want to thank my dad and my whole team. Without them it would be impossible. I am very happy about the title. It was two crazy weeks. If you told me this two weeks ago, I’d say it was impossible. But I am very happy with my performance and my tennis was incredible this week. I will try to rest now and continue to play like this in the next week on hard courts”, said Darderi.
