Luciano Darderi loses 6-2 6-3 to Brandon Nakashima in the quarterfinals of the Masters 1000 in Montreal. A match conditioned by errors due to nervousness
Unfortunately, Luciano Darderi’s Canadian dream is over, as he stops in the quarter-finals of the Masters 1000 in Montreal. The American Brandon Nakashima actually beat him in 77 minutes with a clear 6-2, 6-3, without ever losing serve and canceling all four break points granted during the match.
The highlights of the match
The first partial tells a lot about the negative state of mind that irremediably affected the Italian-Argentine’s match: Darderi enters the field tense, nervousmakes decisive mistakes right from the start and gives precious points to the opponent. Nakashima, to be honest, plays in a linear way, without conceding his side: he serves well, doesn’t make mistakes in important moments, and finishes with a resounding 6-2.
In the second set, Darderi seems to transform. More patient, more solid, he builds four break points and it seems possible to reopen the dispute. In the sixth game he gets two consecutive ones, but the Californian responds with an exciting, saving descent to the net. In the eighth game here was another opportunity, once again not exploited. And the frustration makes itself felt, inexorably: at 4-3, a drop in tension from Luciano, and Nakashima first places the decisive break and then easily closes 6-3.
Darderi and Nakashima: what made the difference
The match statistics explain the gap with methodical precision. The American scored 11 aces, against the two of the Italian-Argentine, who, on the other hand, accumulated well six double faults. Nakashima won 60 percent of the points with his first serve (not an exceptional percentage but sufficient), Darderi just 28 percent with his second serve. 26 winners for the Californian, only eleven for Luciano, who committed 28 free mistakes against the rival’s 11. In short, the numbers explain the overall performance of the two challengers better than any declaration, which determined a rather severe but all in all correct result for what was seen on the pitch.
For Brandon Nakashima, this victory is worth double. It is the first semifinal of his career in a Masters 1000 and guarantees him, moreover, the best position in the world ranking of his career (at least 25th), with the possibility of improving it further in case of victory against his challenger in the semifinal. In the penultimate act of the tournament, the American will meet the winner between Rafael Jodar and Arthur Fils. Darderi, despite losing, gained two positions in the ranking during the week in Canada, reaching 20th place.
