Casper Ruud is the first finalist of the Rome International.

The Norwegian defeated Luciano Darderi in two sets, 6-1, 6-1, in the semifinals, dashing the Italian's dream of playing for the title on Sunday.

"Honestly, it was fatigue. I finished playing too late and had little recovery time. I feel sorry for the people who came to watch, and I apologize to them because I wasn't able to give my all, which I've given throughout the tournament. I was already out of energy from the first few games," Darderi said in the post-match press conference.

Then a two-week dedication that, despite the epilogue, he still describes as "a dream." "I'd like to dedicate this journey I've made in Rome to my grandmother, who is no longer with us; she was always close to me," he said. "Who knows if she saw it somewhere, I hope so. Her dream was for me to become a tennis player, and we achieved it. Then to my father; if I'm a player, it's also thanks to him."

Finally, when asked what Rome has given him, he replied: "This tournament gives me extra confidence. I'm a more mature tennis player, even though I still have a lot to improve. A semifinal of a Masters 1000 isn't something you get every time. I've won so many matches against great players, and I'm proud of myself."

(Unioneonline)