No. 1 seed, Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece has been eliminated from the Sydney International after being defeated by no. 8 seed, Italian Andreas Seppi in the quarterfinals. The Italian came from a set down to win 4-6 6-4 6-4.
Sydney, Australia – 10 January 2019: Andreas Seppi during his quarterfinal win over the no. 1 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Sydney International tennis on Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Olympic Park. (Photo by Rob Keating/robiciatennis.com)
Tsitsipas won the first set, with the Italian failing to obtain any break points. Then in the second set, Seppi instantly broke in the opening game, which he said allowed him to play more aggressively throughout the set. At 5-3, Tsitsipas serving, Seppi had two set points, but was unable to close it out. He then served for the set in the next game, where he came from 0-40 down to win the set and level the score.
Sydney, Australia – 10 January 2019: Stefanos Tsitsiparas during his quarterfinal match at the Sydney International tennis on Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Olympic Park. (Photo by Rob Keating/robiciatennis.com)
In the deciding third set, Seppi broke in the ninth game, giving him the opportunity to serve for the match at 5-4. He had three match points and won the match after Tsitsips hit the ball into the net.
In the on-court interview Seppi said, “I don’t know why but I always play my best tennis in Australia.”
In the semi-finals, Seppi will face either Diego Schwartzman or Yoshihito Nishioka.
