Luciano Darderi had to contend with more than just Rafael Jodar on his way to the Italian Open semi-finals — fireworks from the neighbouring Coppa Italia final at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico blew smoke onto the court and forced a near-20-minute stoppage late in the first set. The pyrotechnics followed Inter Milan’s 2-0 win over Lazio, and drifting smoke left Darderi complaining he couldn’t see; the cameras used for the electronic line-calling system were affected and needed resetting.
When play resumed, Darderi held to take the set into a tiebreak, where he rallied from 5-2 down to claim it. The 24-year-old, who was seen sipping coffee during changeovers, then broke early in the second set. Jodar fought back, breaking straight back and saving two match points to level the contest.
Darderi dominated the deciding set, running out a 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 6-0 winner when Jodar miscued a forehand into the net. The match finished just after 2am local time, giving Darderi his first place in a Masters 1000 semi-final.
He will next face Casper Ruud, who earlier beat 13th-ranked Karen Khachanov 6-1, 1-6, 6-2. Ruud’s match had also suffered disruption: it was halted for more than two hours at the start of the second set because of rain.
Despite the unusual interruptions — smoke from football celebrations and heavy rain elsewhere on the schedule — the Italian Open in Rome produced dramatic late-night action as the tournament moves into its final stages.