Italian Open match delayed by cup final fireworksImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Italy’s Luciano Darderi and Spain’s Rafael Jodar (above) had to wait for the smoke to clear before resuming their quarter-finalByHarry PooleBBC Sport journalistPublished2 hours agoA match at the Italian Open was halted for almost 20 minutes because of smoke from fireworks following Inter Milan’s Coppa Italia triumph at the Stadio Olimpico.Italian Luciano Darderi eventually claimed victory over Spaniard Rafael Jodar to reach the semi-finals after 2am local time at Foro Italico in Rome.Jodar, 19, was leading 6-5 in the opening set when thick smoke descended on centre court amid celebrations after Inter’s 2-0 victory over Lazio about 500 metres away.
Play was paused because of significantly reduced visibility, while the smoke also disrupted the electronic line-calling system.
