From the US Open to Glory: Darderi Seizes Challenger Title
Italian star poised for a career milestone after an exhilarating fortnight
September 08, 2025
Al Bello/Getty Images
Luciano Darderi achieves a career-high No. 30 in the PIF ATP Rankings.
By ATP Staff
This Sunday, Luciano Darderi enriched his trophy collection by clinching the ATP Challenger Tour title in Genoa, Italy, capping off a spectacular summer.
The talented Italian, who triumphed in consecutive tour-level events at Bastad and Umag this July, entered Genoa fresh off a commendable third-round performance at the US Open, where he faced off against champion Carlos Alcaraz.
In Genoa, Darderi showcased his prowess, yielding just one set over five matches and decisively overcoming compatriot Andrea Pellegrino 6-1, 6-3 in the AON Open Challenger Memorial Giorgio Messina final. This victory not only solidifies his status but also sets him on course for a well-deserved Top 30 debut in the PIF ATP Rankings.
The 23-year-old has secured three of his four ATP Tour titles this season and reached the third round at Wimbledon. With his triumph in Genoa, Darderi has now amassed a total of four Challenger titles.
In related Challenger news, Peru’s Ignacio Buse also transitioned from the year’s final Grand Slam to victory. After making his main-draw debut at the US Open, where he lost to Ben Shelton, Buse captured the LXII Copa Sevilla crown in Spain.
At just 21 years old, Buse triumphed over Argentina’s Genaro Alberto Olivieri 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the clay-court final. This season marks a significant rise for Buse, as he achieved his first Challenger win in June and is now positioned at a career-high No. 112, closing in on the Top 100.
Meanwhile, former World No. 38 Alex Molcan scored his second consecutive Challenger title at the Istanbul Challenger TED Open. Coming off his Sofia Challenger win, he built on that momentum to secure victory, defeating Nicolas Mejia 7-6(9), 6-2 in the final.
This 27-year-old, who was once ranked as low as No. 646 in March, is now on the brink of re-entering the Top 200 for the first time in 16 months.
British player Billy Harris celebrated a significant career milestone by winning his first Challenger title in Cassis, France. The 30-year-old fought back from a set down in both his semi-final and final matches, edging past Daniil Glinka 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Credit: Cassis Open Provence by Cabesto
Last September, Harris nearly broke into the Top 100, peaking at No. 101. With this latest victory, he climbs 15 spots to World No. 136.
Italian Giulio Zeppieri also enjoyed a flawless week, not dropping a single set en route to winning the Road to the Rolex Shanghai Masters. The 23-year-old, who faced limited breaks throughout the tournament, defeated Japan’s Yasutaka Uchiyama 7-6(2), 7-5 in the final, tallying 17 aces. Zeppieri has now claimed three Challenger titles.
Furthermore, Marco Trungelliti bagged his second title of the season and fifth overall at the NÖ Open powered by EVN in Tulln, Austria. Like Zeppieri, he also did not drop a set throughout the tournament, securing the title with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Czech Andrew Paulson.
