From Perugia: The complete report of the Quarter Finals. Luciano Darderi wins easily against Fabio Fognini. “Classification? I would like the Top 30.” Out Francesco Passaro (with tomorrow’s program)

The Perugia Tennis Club has become the beating heart of the city. The tennis fever doesn’t stop and the City of Perugia Tennis Internationals | GIMa. Tennis Cup recorded another sold out evening. The evening session of the ATP 125 tournament organized by MEF Tennis Events could easily be that of a major circuit event and Umbrian enthusiasts did not miss an opportunity to enjoy the show. Semifinalist in Perugia in 2022 and champion of the Todi Challenger ten months ago, Luciano Darderi has now blossomed. The Italian-Argentine, world number 41 and first seed, defeated Fabio Fognini with an eloquent 6-1 6-2. In the semi-final on Saturday 15 June (6.00 pm) there will be a challenge against the German Daniel Altmaier, who in the late afternoon played the role of favorite against the home tennis player Francesco Passaro, defeated with a score of 6-2 7-5. The program on Saturday 15 June will open at 2.30 pm with the final of the doubles Guido Andreozzi/Miguel Reyes-Varela-Siriam Balaji/Andre Begemann. At 4.00 pm the first semi-final between Sumit Nagal and Bernabè Zapata Miralles.

Darderi: “Ranking? I would like the Top 30” – “Facing Fabio is a great honor, we are talking about a legend of our tennis. I was always involved in the match and I’m happy to have won.” Luciano Darderi does not tremble in front of former world number 9 Fabio Fognini and the over 1000 spectators in Perugia. Villa Gesell’s class of 2002 has already gotten used to playing the role of the Top 50 and was perfect in the match which earned him a 6-1 6-2 win against the Taggiasco. With a semi-final reached in Perugia in 2022 and the title in Todi last August, when he was number 250 in the world, the feeling with Umbria and the tournaments organized by MEF Tennis Events is now consolidated: “Todi and Perugia are special tournaments for me , I don’t forget that it all started from here. Then after the title in Todi I never stopped and now there will be the Olympics. What do I expect? The best will be there and it will be tough on the pitch, but I hope I can get a medal. Sinner, Arnaldi, Musetti and the girls will be there. It will be a great experience.” With the success achieved in the evening Darderi secures a new best ranking from Monday. He is virtually number 39 in the world, but by winning the tournament he could even aspire to 33rd place in the world: “I don’t know where I will arrive in the rankings, but I hope to arrive and finish in the top 30 this 2024”.

I passed defeat without failing – The fund of nervous energy and the strength given by the Perugia public were not enough for Francesco Passaro. The home tennis player was unable to overturn the predictions against the German Daniel Altmaier, who took his place in the semi-final with a score of 6-2 7-5. With a best ranking of number 47 in the world, the German boasts scalps of the caliber of Sinner, Zverev, Berrettini, Rublev and Fritz; it is therefore no surprise that he remained impassive in the face of the heated support of the Perugia Tennis Club: “Everyone was rightly on Francesco’s side, but I have faith in myself and today I was a fan of myself. Regardless, playing in such a context is beautiful.” In a draw full of Italians, Altmaier after Travaglia also defeated Passaro. In the semi-final there will be the top seed Luciano Darderi, a challenge worthy of the best ATP 250: “I beat two Italians and I will try to defeat a third. To see my best version I am convinced that I have to continue working as I am doing, the results tell me that I am going in the right direction.” The defeat does not reduce Passaro, who reached the quarter-finals for the first time in his hometown tournament and lost out against a rival with much more experience and greater tennis consistency. Wimbledon qualifiers are in sight, where he will play in two weeks.

Center Court – 2.30pm
Guido Andreozzi / Miguel Reyes-Varela vs N.Sriram Balaji / Andre Begemann
Sumit Nagal vs Bernabe Zapata Miralles (Not before 4pm)
Luciano Darderi vs Daniel Altmaier (Not before 6pm)

Results for Friday 14 June
Quarter finals
Luciano Darderi (1) b. Fabio Fognini (5) 6-1 6-2
Daniel Altmaier (4) b. Francesco Passaro (8) 6-2 7-5
Sumit Nagal (6) b. Maks Kasnikowski (Alt) 6-4 7-5
Bernabè Zapata Miralles b. Laslo Djere (2) 6-3 6-3