Lorenzo Musetti and Luciano Darderi keep Italy in the running for the Sardinia Open title. On the red clay of Cagliari, where Italy hopes for an all-blue final, the Tuscan is looking for good sensations in view of the Internationals. After overcoming Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the round of 16, fighting until the end, yesterday he secured a place in the semi-finals by turning the match around to beat Nuno Borges. The Portuguese was ahead 6-1 1-0 and serve when Musetti took matters into his own hands by winning ten games in a row and flying 4-0 in the third set to a 1-6 6-1 6-2 victory.
“I went onto the pitch with clear ideas, but the wind made everything very complicated. I got nervous, I was in a hurry and my opponent played his part well. But then I changed tactics, using my serve better to open up the court. He allowed me to start commanding with my forehand, I gained conviction and the game turned. I’m very happy with my reaction.” On Saturday afternoon, Musetti faces the Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan, who in Cagliari repeated the 2023 semi-final without even playing, thanks to Marton Fucsovics’ withdrawal, stopped by a right wrist problem.
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Luciano Darderi also reached the semi-finals thanks to the forfeit of the Argentine Federico Coria at 6-1 4-2 in favor of the Italian due to a problem in his right thigh. Luciano meets Mariano Navone in the match that is worth a place in the final: “A great match awaits me – said Luciano –, and I hope to find many people to support me. This week I received a lot of love and I’m very happy about that. We hope for an all-Italian final.”
