Luciano Darderi is the champion of the 39th Grand Prix Hassan II event in Marrakech. The 23-year-old Italian ousted the top seed Tallon Griekspoor 7-6, 7-6 in two hours and three minutes in the final. Thus, he lifted his second ATP title after Cordoba last year.
World no. 57 came to Marrakech with mediocre results in 2025 and a 2-8 score on the ATP Tour. Darderi returned to Challengers and reached the Naples final last week. He lost a tight title clash before lifting a trophy in Marrakech for the top-50 return.
Luciano Darderi remporte la 39e édition du Grand Prix Hassan II à Marrakech !
🇮🇹🏆 L’Italien s’impose face à Tallon Griekspoor et décroche son 2e titre ATP de la saison après Córdoba. pic.twitter.com/HzT7ImWRt7— KoraMaroc (@AtKoraMaroc) April 6, 2025
Tallon and Luciano stayed neck and neck from start to finish, with both players clinching 82 points. The Italian saved three of four break points and delivered his only break in the closing stages of the opening set. Griekspoor fought well and landed 39 winners and 30 unforced errors.
Darderi added a 28-27 ratio and stayed in touch with his opponent in service winners. The Italian played a bit better from the baseline, and the Dutchman erased that deficit at the net. Tallon had the upper hand in the mid-range exchanges, and Luciano erased the deficit in the most extended ones.
Luciano Darderi, Marrakech 2025© Stream screenshot
Both players found the rhythm behind the initial shot right from the start. Darderi drew the rival’s mistake in the eighth game for a hold and 4-4 before making a push on the return in the next one. Griekspoor squandered three game points and faced a break point after the rival’s volley winner at the net.
The top seed placed a volley long, dropping serve and propelling the 7th seed 5-4 in front,. Luciano served for the set in game ten and hit a double fault to drop serve at love and keep his rival in contention. They provided fine holds in games 11 and 12 to introduce a tie break.
Tallon Griekspoor, Marrakech 2025© Stream screenshot
Tallon missed a forehand in the fifth point and fell 3-2 behind. The Italian claimed two points on serve for a 5-2 advantage and created three set points after the rival’s double fault. Luciano seized the first with a forehand down the line winner, clinching the opener in 55 minutes.
Darderi faced two break points in the third game of the second set. He denied them with fine hitting and held with a forehand winner. They served well in the next seven games, keeping the returners away from break points.
Tallon Griekspoor & Luciano Darderi, Marrakech 2025© Stream screenshot
Luciano claimed the ninth game with a forehand crosscourt winner. Tallon responded with a hold at love in the next one after a forehand down the line winner for more drama. The Italian played a loose drop shot in the 11th game and offered his rival a break chance.
He targeted Griekspoor’s backhand and saved it before holding for 6-5. The Dutchman held after a deuce in game 12 to introduce a tie break. Darderi landed a powerful forehand in the fifth point for 3-2 and secured a mini-break in the next one after drawing the opponent’s volley mistake.
Luciano Darderi, Marrakech 2025© Stream screenshot
The Italian attacked in the eighth point and landed an ace in the next one for 6-3 and three match points. He converted the second with a forehand down the line winner, falling to the ground and lifting his second ATP trophy at 23.
Tennis World USA