Rome Masters 1000: Casper Ruud easily dismisses Darderi and advances to final

In his first final at the Foro Italico, his fourth in tournaments of this caliber, Ruud, 27 years old, will try to add a 15th title to his resume, his second in Masters 1000 after Madrid 2025. This first semi-final was quickly dispatched (1 h 5 min) by Ruud, the former world No. 2 and a great specialist on clay courts who only faced one setback, a long two-hour interruption due to rain.

Weakness mental

Before heading to the locker rooms in a heavy downpour, he was leading 4-1. After returning to the Campo Centrale, he once again broke his opponent’s serve, who tried to wake up by having an espresso brought to the court, and won the set with an ace after 29 minutes.

Darderi, the winner in the previous round against the emerging Spanish phenomenon Rafael Jodar (34th), quickly seemed to regroup after losing his service at the start. While trailing 3-0, the 24-year-old Italian did not even sit on his chair during the changeover. Darderi, frustrated by his level of play and expressing his frustration, eventually won a second service game (4-1) and put Ruud in trouble during a prolonged sixth game. But the Norwegian held on to his serve. In the following game, in response to a spectator reminding him that he had paid to watch him play, Darderi pretended to offer his racket and lost on his third match point.