buenos aires
Dudley excels in return to clay-court ‘comfort zone’ in Buenos Aires
The second seed is expected to win the title in Argentina and break into the top 20
February 12, 2026
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Luciano Darderi takes on Tomas Barrios Vera in Buenos Aires on Thursday.
Andy West
Five months away from clay court is not enough to stop Luciano Dadri from returning to action at the IEB+ Argentina Open on Thursday.
The Italian second seed defeated Tomas Barrios Vera 6-1, 6-3 in the first round of ATP 250 in Buenos Aires to continue his career in 2025 on his favorite venue. Dadri, who recently captured two ATP Tour titles (Bastad, Umag) and the ATP Challenger crown (Genoa) on clay, extended his winning streak to 15 matches in just 82 minutes against Barrios Vera.
Wonderful from beginning to end 🏁@Lucianodarderi_ In Buenos Aires, he defeated Barrios Vera 6-1, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals.@iebmasargopen | #ArgOpen2026 pic.twitter.com/D2x9IUKK5x
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 12, 2026
“This is the first clay court match since [five] “It was a really good match today and I felt really good,” said Dudley, who reached the fourth round at the Australian Open hard-court event last month. “In the second set, he started playing better, but I’m really happy to be in the quarterfinals again.” ”
Dadri, who is ranked a career-high No. 22 in the PIF ATP Rankings according to Infosys ATP Statistics, converted five of his nine break points against Barrios Vera. The 23-year-old will break into the top 20 for the first time if he can win his fifth ATP Tour title this week. Next to stop Dadri in the Argentine capital will be Pedro Martinez or local favorite Juan Manuel Cerundolo.
