Luciano Darderi Advances to Montreal Masters Quarter-Finals Fueled by Espresso
Italian tennis player Luciano Darderi continues to shine in Montreal, having secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the Montreal Masters following an intense match against Portugal’s Nuno Borges. The decisive moment came during a mid-match changeover when Darderi opted for a shot of espresso, a choice that proved instrumental in his performance, resulting in a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 triumph.
This victory marks another milestone for Darderi, who has now reached an impressive 10 quarter-finals this season, adding his 30th win of 2026 to his record. This achievement is particularly significant as it is his second Masters quarter-final appearance of the year, the first having taken place in Rome last May.
Despite facing a challenging start against Borges, who delivered over 40 winners throughout the match, Darderi adjusted his strategy effectively. Trailing initially, he mounted a comeback from a 5-2 deficit in the second set, gaining momentum that carried over into the decisive third set.
A pivotal moment came when Darderi broke Borges’ serve to lead 4-3, only to have Borges return the favor shortly after, bringing the game to 4-all. Nonetheless, Darderi regained control, breaking serve again to take a 6-5 lead after benefitting from a favorable net cord. He ultimately sealed the victory with an ace on match point, demonstrating composure under pressure.
Expressing his satisfaction with the result, Darderi noted, “This is my first Masters quarter-final on hardcourt so I’m very pleased. I like the conditions here and the crowd helped me in the third set. I deserved this win. I’ve improved my hardcourt game a lot. I try to play every match at full power. Paying well on hard is good for me after starting my career on clay.”
