Top-5 Jack Draper Defeats Luciano Darderi at Rome Masters

Jack Draper, currently ranked world No. 5, secured a commanding 6-1, 6-4 victory over home favorite Luciano Darderi at the Rome Masters, marking his first win as a top-5 player. Draper dominated the first set with aggressive play, hitting 33 winners and saving multiple break points in the second set to maintain control despite a spirited challenge and a supportive Italian crowd for Darderi. Coming off a strong season that included winning his maiden Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells and reaching the final in Madrid, Draper demonstrated adaptability and mental toughness on Rome's slower clay courts. He noted the crowd's energy but compared it as less intense than other experiences, emphasizing his pride in handling the pressure and challenging environment. Draper's ability to combine powerful shot-making with resilience in longer rallies underscores his status as an emerging clay court threat. He will next face Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva in the tournament's third round.