Darderi advances to first ATP semifinal in Cordoba

Italian qualifier Luciano Darderi beat German Yannick Hanfmann, the No 7 seed, 7-6 (2), 6-1 to move into the semi-finals of the Cordoba Open at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes on Friday night.

Darderi, ranked No 136, will play the winner of the match between Facundo Diaz Acosta and second seed Sebastian Baez next.

In the previous rounds of the Cordoba tournament, the 21-year-old Italian won against Chilean Tomas Barrios Vera (4-6, 6-1, 6-2) and Austrian Sebastian Ofner, the No 4 seed (6-0, 6-3).

Hanfmann, ranked No 59, defeated Peruvian Juan Pablo Varillas (5-7, 7-6 (1), 6-1) and edged out Argentinian qualifier Roman Andres Burruchaga (3-6, 6-1, 6-4) earlier in the tournament.

Cordoba ATP 250, other last eight results (Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, clay, USD 562.345):

• Facundo Diaz Acosta vs. Sebastian Baez
• Jaume Munar vs. Facundo Bagnis: friday
• Federico Coria beat Tomas Martin Etcheverry (3): 6-3, 6-4