Italian Open: Luciano Darderi responds to Alexander Zverev complaints

Luciano Darderi produced the performance of his life as he dumped Alexander Zverev out of the Italian Open and after the match he was asked about the German’s complaints about the conditions at Foro Italico.

Ranked No 20 at the start of his home event, the Italian’s previous best results at ATP Masters 1000 events were a couple of third-round appearances, but he went one better when he beat Tommy Paul to reach the round of 16.

Up against second seed Zverev, Darderi made a nightmare start as he was broken twice as the German took the first set 6-1 and then came out to serve for the match at 5-4 in the second. But the 18th seed broke back in game 10 and took it to a tie-breaker.

However, he again found himself on the brink of an exit as Zverev had match points at 6-5, 8-7, 8-9 and 9-10, but somehow saved them all and then took the match to a decider on his second set point.

Zverev then completely collapsed as the hometown hero broke in games one, three and five and then served it out for a famous 1-6, 7-6 (12-10), 6-0 win and set up a quarter-final clash against Spanish youngster Rafael Jodar.

Italian Open News

Alexander Zverev issues strong complaint after losing to Luciano Darderi at the Italian Open

Jannik Sinner explains why losing at the Italian Open would be ‘great’ for his Roland Garros hopes

During the post-match press conference, Darderi admitted he was so focused that he forgot how many points he saved.

“How many match points did I save? Four, really? I was so focused that I swear I don’t remember. I think it was one or two,” he revealed.

“I had always played at night and went to bed at three or four. Today was the first match I played during the day. The conditions were different. There is a lot of pressure playing here. I wanted to show that I could play a match like this.

“Luckily, I managed to win because I could have easily lost. Nevertheless, the level is there. Despite losing the second set, I knew I was playing well. I am proud to have kept fighting in the toughest moments.”

Zverev was not happy with the playing conditions and he voiced his unhappiness about the BNP Paribas Arena during his press conference.

The world No 3 told the media: “It was difficult to play. I mean, to be honest, the court, I think this is the worst court I’ve ever played on. Juniors, professional, futures, practice, I never player on a court where the court quality is that bad.”

Although Darderi agreed that the court was not great, he felt it was the same for both players and he adapted quite well.

“Yes, it wasn’t easy, it was windy, but we can’t control the wind, right? The wind was [terrible] for both of us so I don’t think it was a problem because the wind is there, we can’t control it,” the 24-year-old said.

“The court wasn’t 100% at times, but it’s something you have to get used to, I’ve gotten better at adapting to it and so I think that yes, the court is an added thing, it’s not that great.

“There were some bad bounces for me, for him, certainly, but I don’t see it as such a serious thing.”