After a thrilling match, Darderi expressed his excitement about advancing to the next round of the tournament. “It’s my first time here in the second week. Very excited to play the next round,” he stated.
Reflecting on his challenging match against experienced player Khachanov, Darderi admitted, “Today was a really difficult match. Khachanov has a lot of experience on this type of surface, having played in the third round many times. For me, this is the first time.” He acknowledged that managing his nerves during critical moments was pivotal to his success. “I stayed focused all match. I lost my mind in the second set. But I came back really strong in the beginning of the third set,” he added.
Meanwhile, fellow competitor Sinner is aiming to become just the second man after Novak Djokovic to win three consecutive Australian Open titles. Sinner’s experience contributed to his victory against American Eliot Spizzirri yesterday.
As Darderi prepares to face one of the sport’s biggest names in the next round, he is prioritizing recovery, which includes a brief practice session and some time at the beach. Last season, Darderi did not make it past the first round of the men’s singles draw at the Australian Open. However, he gained significant confidence after winning the ATP Tour title at the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech just three months later.
Continuing his successful run, Darderi added two more ATP titles to his resume at the Swedish Open and the Croatia Open Umag in 2025. Reflecting on his journey, he noted, “I think in Marrakech, when I won my second ATP title, but the first one of last year, something in me said, ‘Why not again?’ I was playing amazing tennis and working hard every day.”
Darderi’s rise is a testament to the power of resilience and hard work, illustrating his potential as he continues to make his mark in the competitive world of tennis.