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Espresso power fires Darderi past Borges in Montreal / Photo: © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Espresso power fires Darderi past Borges in Montreal
Italian Luciano Darderi fuelled himself with an expresso shot during a mid-match changeover in a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory over Nuno Borges on Saturday to reach the Montreal Masters quarter-finals.
It was not the first time Darderi had downed his national rocket fuel to fire up the afterburners in a tight situation on court.
The number 22 will be playing in an ATP-leading 10th quarter-final of the season after earning his 30th victory of 2026.
Darderi will be playing in his second Masters last-eight of the season after achieving the quarters last May at home in Rome.
The 24-year-old overcame more than 40 winners off the racquet of his Portuguese opponent, starting his comeback in the second set with a 5-2 lead and carrying momentum into the third.
Darderi broke for 4-3 as Borges double-faulted but lost his own serve moments later for 4-all.
The Italian got an insurance break for 6-5 as a net cord bounced out for Borges, then served out the triumph with an ace on match point a game later.
"This is my first Masters quarter-final on hardcourt so I'm very pleased," the winner said. "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."
B.Turner--SFF
