Luciano Darderi Triumphs Over Gael Monfils at Madrid Open

In the day of Madrid, a great joy arrives for Italy. An important victory for the Italian Luciano Darderi who in the first round of the Madrid Open clearly surpasses Gael Monfils in two sets (6-4, 6-2). The Italian flies to the second round of the Madrid Mastes 1000, showing great maturity. Victory in one hour and 15 minutes for Darderi who forcefully wins the first set and then easily disposes of the Frenchman in the second. The 22-year-old Italo-Argentinian secures a spot for the second round of the tournament in the Spanish capital, taking advantage of his service to close the match. Darderi keeps the rally when needed and attacks at the right moments, also exploiting his greater athletic prowess compared to the 37-year-old Parisian. He saves the first ace of the match in the penultimate point and closes the match with extreme elegance, with another ace (the second in a row). Darderi climbs several positions in the ATP ranking, moving from no. 60 to no. 56 and enjoys his first victory in a Masters 1000.