Darderi’s run continues in Houston, makes semi-finals

Italian Luciano Darderi advanced to the last four of the Houston Open by defeating American Marcos Giron, the No 7 seed, 6-0, 6-4 at River Oaks Country Club on Friday night.

Darderi, ranked No 72, will play the winner of the match between Australian Jordan Thompson, the No 6 seed, and American Frances Tiafoe, the No 3 seed, next.

Ahead of his victory, the 22-year-old Italian won against American wildcard Denis Kudla (3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2) and edged out Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo, the second seed (6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (4)).

Giron, ranked No 51, beat Canadian wildcard Denis Shapovalov (6-2, 7-5) and J.J. Wolf (6-4, 6-3) earlier in the tournament.

Houston ATP 250, other quarter-finals results (River Oaks Country Club, clay, USD 742.350, most recent results first):

• Jordan Thompson vs. Frances Tiafoe
• Ben Shelton (1) beat Brandon Nakashima: 7-5, 7-6 (9)
• Tomas Martin Etcheverry (4) beat Michael Mmoh (WC): 6-3, 0-1 ret.