Luciano Darderi booked his place in the Round of 16 of Nordea Open after a gritty three-set win over Belgium’s Raphael Collignon, 6-2, 2-6, 6-2, in a match defined by intensity, raw power and a brief rain delay on Center Court in Båstad.

Both players made an energetic start in their tournament opener, immediately engaging in long, hard-fought rallies. In the opening game alone, Collignon earned two break points but was unable to convert, with the game lasting nearly nine minutes. The Belgian initially found success by targeting Darderi’s backhand, but the Italian—currently ranked No. 55—was quick to settle. With smart court coverage and attacking variety, he broke Collignon for a 4-2 lead.

Despite falling behind 0-30 in the seventh game, the 23-year-old Italian—born in Argentina—fired up his serve, reaching speeds of 205 km/h, and held firm to maintain control of the set. Applying pressure on Collignon’s serve once again, Darderi converted his double set point to take the opener 6-2, showcasing consistency and tactical composure.

Collignon returned stronger in the second set, opening with a break and holding to love as Darderi struggled with his rhythm. The Belgian, ranked No. 84, frequently approached the net to cut off Darderi’s angles and was rewarded, saving break points and delivering a stunning backhand winner to go up 4-1. Both players produced high-quality points, reflected in similar first-serve success rates—66% for Collignon and 67% for Darderi.

The Italian had three break chances in the sixth game but couldn’t convert, with Collignon standing tall under pressure. After fending off the comeback, the Belgian wrapped up the set 6-2, leveling the match as Darderi visibly lost his composure, showing frustration over the weather and his own play.

The third and deciding set delivered everything a tennis fan could ask for—aces (five apiece), rallies, and relentless hustle. With the score tied at 2-2, rain forced a short delay. Darderi later admitted in his on-court interview that the break helped him reset. That showed on his return, as he held off two break points and edged ahead 3-2. The No. 5 seed then broke Collignon to go up 4-2 and followed it with a dominant love hold.

Feeding off momentum and crowd energy, Darderi didn’t hesitate to close it out. Another decisive break sealed the third set 6-2, handing the Italian a well-earned victory and a spot in the next round.

In Round of 16, Luciano Darderi will face the winner of Elias Ymer vs. Tristan Boyer, with the excitement in Båstad continuing to build.