Darderi clouds a resilient Jódar and the Masters 1000 semifinals will have to wait

Andrés Tomás Rico | 14 May 2026 | 02.12

Darderi clouds a resilient Jódar and the semifinals of Masters 1000 will have to wait. Photo: Gettyimages

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A battle between gladiators was what Rafa Jódar and Luciano Darderi starred in the quarterfinals of ATP Rome 2026. However, there could only be one winner, and it was the Italian who raised the champion's fist after three hours and seven minutes of battle with a score of 7-6(5), 5-7, 6-0. It was not the best tennis day for the Spaniard, but he showed a maturity and mental strength that bode well for great successes sooner rather than later. Yet, for now, the semifinals of Masters 1000 will have to wait.

In a Davis Cup-like atmosphere, Rafa Jódar was not only facing Luciano Darderi but also the entire Foro Itálico, which made it clear from the start that, despite all the praise the Spaniard had received in recent days, they were not going to lend him any support today. He had experienced this before with Matteo Arnaldi, but this time, the vibes were different.

This was the epic battle fought by Rafa Jódar and Luciano Darderi in the quarterfinals of ATP Rome 2026

The man from Madrid started a bit cold, not feeling the ball, while Darderi, aware of his great opportunity, came out with an extra gear and broke in the first game of the match. Something was wrong with Jódar, who looked at his father with a concerned expression. The conditions were slower and heavier in the Roman night, and he did not display the usual confidence and assurance.

Yet, it was a matter of time before the player from Leganés caught fire, breaking back before entering the crucial moment of the first set. The match was not about spectacular shots or dominant control; it was a day of putting in one more ball, gritting teeth, and accepting suffering. Jódar understood this well, saving a break point at 4-4 that could have been decisive, displaying an unusual composure at the age of 19.

Darderi, however, did not falter. Despite complaining about his racket tension issues, he fought with determination and resilience to hold his ground. Everything was hanging by a thread. Jódar was far from comfortable, but the Italian failed to capitalize on the situation.

Smoke halted the match for 15 minutes

The outcome mirrored the first set, with numerous errors that weighed heavily on the Spaniard's game this time. From 5-2, he lost five consecutive points, surrendering a rough and uncomfortable first set (7-6(5)).

Jódar had no choice but to roll up his sleeves and turn around a challenging situation due to court conditions, the opponent's energy, and his own poor performance thus far.

The way Darderi won the first set further fired up a player much more attuned to the court conditions, faultless in his shots, and certain he could seal the match at the start of the second set. Without hesitation, he broke Jódar's serve, who was beginning to show signs of fatigue. Nothing seemed to work for the man from Madrid, who missed a chance at 0-40 to get back into the match, seeing his first Masters 1000 semifinal hopes slipping away.

Even more so when the Italo-Argentinian had two break points to reach 4-0, but failed to capitalize. Suddenly, the tide turned. Jódar broke back in the next game and shortly after, after saving two more break points, leveled the score at 3-3. The match was on.

Jódar's resilience saved two match points, pushing the duel to a third set

The Spaniard started adapting to Darderi's game, but he still seemed subdued and lacking sharpness, even after saving two match points. Although not displaying emotions, his tennis and a mental strength reserved for the chosen few kept him in the game. The Italian's solid wall began to crack ever so slightly, to the point of collapsing when Jódar broke his serve and took a second set that had been an uphill battle since the beginning (7-5).

Not done yet 😤

Jodar saves two match points to take the second set 7-5 against Darderi!#IBI26 pic.twitter.com/v3FSSTrnE7
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 13, 2026

Nobody was going to sleep here, and Jódar had not uttered his final statement. Trailing from the start of the second set and saving two match points, the Spanish player, at 19 years old, managed to stay engaged in a match he did not control and opened a new chapter heading into the third set.

Physical prowess decided a beautiful duel

It was a constant struggle for the man from Leganés to stay alive, facing a Darderi who did not falter after losing the second set and continued at an outstanding level. He managed to save five break points at the start of the third, but at the sixth opportunity, the Italian tipped the scales, putting Jódar in trouble once again.

The Spaniard’s physical condition began to show signs of exhaustion, with cramps starting to appear. Meanwhile, Darderi, with a double break, secured a 5-0 lead. The game was practically over, and Jódar fell with honor by 6-7, 7-5, 6-0. On a day when he could not find his rhythm, he stayed afloat due to a mentality and determination usually not seen in a 19-year-old. This time luck was not on his side, but there is no need to worry, as a generational talent like Rafa Jódar will come out on top many times.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Darderi nubla a un resiliente Jódar y las semifinales de Masters 1000 tendrán que esperar