AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 22, 2026

Luciano Darderi

Press Conference

L. DARDERI/S. Baez

6-3, 1-6, 6-4, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Luciano, congratulations on qualifying for the third round. Can you talk us through your match today?

LUCIANO DARDERI: Yeah, today was a really difficult match. We play a few times against again Sebastian. The last time was in Bastad on clay, so this time was a little bit different.

He start the season pretty well in the United Cup. He make finals in Auckland. So it was a really tough match.

I think I played a really good match today. So aggressive in important moments. I have a really, really good chance with my serve. So, yeah, I feel really, really solid how I played today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. How are you feeling physically? Have you been managing a stomach illness this week?

LUCIANO DARDERI: No, it was something that happened in the match with Garin that I take some anti-inflammatory without the cover for the stomach. I think that was the main problem that happened to me. So it was hot and everything on the same day.

No, yesterday I think we rest. We do everything right and well with the medic, with the doctors. So everything is fine now. My stomach today was pretty well, so all good.

Q. From losing the second set 6-1 to being able to pull yourself together and close out the match like that, did you make any adjustments to your game plan, or was it just better execution in the third and fourth set?

LUCIANO DARDERI: No, I just tried to stay aggressive, you know, in the important moments, because I was 5-2 in the third set. Then I have a set point there, but he changed well in 5-4, but I stayed mentally really focused on that moment.

I think that's what the key of the match, the 5-4 in third set when I was that match in that game in the third set. I think this was the key of the match.

Then for sure he served really well in the fourth set, but then I keep continuing to just trying to push him outside the court.

Q. Third round is new ground for you as far as the Australian Open is concerned. What were your expectations leading into the tournament? Have you been meeting them?

LUCIANO DARDERI: No, I think we never play against Karen, no?

Q. Sorry?

LUCIANO DARDERI: What do you mean? What did you say?

Q. Going into the third round, it's new for you as far as the Australian Open is concerned. What expectations did you have coming into the tournament, and have you been meeting them so far?

LUCIANO DARDERI: No, no expectations. Just trying to win some matches. It was my first time winning a match here.

So now in the third round, I just have to enjoy that. Now we have Karen. He's a good player with a lot of experience on hard court, so we try to do my best.

Q. Potential for 40 degree temperatures on Saturday. If you have to play on Saturday, how often have you had to manage that challenge?

LUCIANO DARDERI: Yeah, I know. I know that. So we'll try to drink a lot today, a lot of fruit today and tomorrow to be ready for the next match, because it's going to be really, really hot here.