Roger Federer hails Dominic Thiem's 'thunderous backhand' in retirement tribute
"No matter the surface, you always found a way to beat me," wrote the Swiss legend in tribute to Thiem, "but more importantly, you did it with grace and sportsmanship."
This straight set victory ended Thiem's professional career and soared Darderi into the Second Round.
Luciano Darderi saved a stunning nine match points before Struff ultimately advanced, 6-7 (2), 7-5, 7-6 (10) at the Terra Wortmann Open.
A surprise champion in Córdoba in February, the 22-year-old Italian outlasted Shapovalov in a three-hour, 10-minute epic in his main-draw debut at his home event.