UMAG/STARNBERG, July 25, 2025
Carlos Taberner has broken new ground on the ATP Tour, reaching his first-ever championship match at the Plava Laguna Croatia Open in Umag. The Spaniard’s milestone run in the coastal clay-court event in Istria marks a major step forward in his career, as he now stands one win away from capturing his maiden ATP title.
Under the lights at the Goran Ivanisevic Stadium on Friday evening, Taberner fought past No. 4 seed Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina 6-2, 6-1. The 27-year-old Valencia native capitalized on five of his 16 break-point opportunities to seal victory in one hour and 36 minutes.
“I am extremely happy, as I think that I played amazing,” said Taberner, who hit 26 winners.
A remarkable aspect of this match was the second game of the first set, which took 21 minutes and 15 seconds. Dzumhur held serve after saving six break points. He needed nine game points.
14 deuces, 21 minutes and 15 seconds later… ⌛#CroatiaOpenUmag pic.twitter.com/u30SlrIYs8
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 25, 2025
Darderi downs Ugo Carabelli
Taberner, who has captured nine titles on the ATP Challenger Tour, including two triumphs this season on home soil in Murcia as well as in Sassuolo, Italy will take on Luciano Darderi in the final. The second-seeded Italian defeated No. 3 seed Camilo Ugo Carabelli of Argentina 7-6(3), 6-3 in one hour and 44 minutes. Darderi withstood five aces and broke his rival’s serve one time.
Taberner and Darderi will meet for the first time. The 23-year-old from Italy is vying for his fourth ATP Tour career title, his third of the season following his triumphs in Marrakech, Morocco and Bastad, Sweden.
“Luciano is an unbelievable player. He is playing like a beast. I have to give 100 per cent and then let’s see,” Taberner commented on his upcoming opponent.
