Tennis: Giorgio Armani Classic – Djokovic wins, Darderi loses to Lehecka

Milan, 26 June (LaPresse) – Novak Djokovic has won his first grass-court match of the season at the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic, an exhibition tournament at the Hurlingham Club in London. The Serbian, a former world No. 1 and currently ranked No. 8, defeated 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-5 against Tommy Paul (No. 24): the third set was replaced by a tie-break. As has been the case for years now, he will arrive at Wimbledon – where he has won seven men’s singles titles – without having played any warm-up tournaments. At the Hurlingham Club, however, he has been a regular fixture since 2022. Paul, playing his first match in this year’s tournament, had already made his mark on the grass last week, reaching the final at Queen’s. Meanwhile, Luciano Darderi was defeated in the second singles match of the day; he had stepped in for Jiri Lehecka (No. 14), who was beaten 6-2, 6-4 by Learner Tien (No. 18). The American, born in 2005, had played one match on Tuesday, losing to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.vvvvvv