Andreas Seppi of Italy is through to his first ATP final since 2015, after defeating Argentinian Diego Schwartzman in straight sets 7-6(3) 6-4 at the Sydney International.
Sydney, Australia – 11 January 2019: Andreas Seppi plays a backhand during the Sydney International singles semifinal match against Diego Schwartzman on Ken Rosewall Arena at Sydney Olympic Park. (Photo by Rob Keating/robiciatennis.com)r
Schwartzman won the first two games, but Seppi fought back and had the opportunity to serve out the set when he was leading 5-4. Schwartzman was not ready to go down just yet, levelling the score at 5-5. Both men held in their next service games, resulting in a tie-break, which Seppi won 7-3.
Sydney, Australia – 11 January 2019: Diego Schwartzman plays a forehand during the Sydney International singles semifinal match against Andreas Seppi on Ken Rosewall Arena at Sydney Olympic Park. (Photo by Rob Keating/robiciatennis.com)
In the second set, Seppi brought up three break points after he sent a winner down the line. On his third break point, he was able to break then consolidate to lead 6-2. After Schwartzman held his next service game, Seppi tried to serve out the match but failed to do so, with Schwartzman breaking back to put the score back on serve. At this point, a few raindrops started to fall onto Ken Rosewall Arena In the next game, Seppi broke and won the match when Schwartzman sent the ball into the net.
Sydney, Australia – 11 January 2019: Andreas Seppi looks to his support team after winning the Sydney International singles semifinal match against Diego Schwartzman on Ken Rosewall Arena at Sydney Olympic Park. (Photo by Rob Keating/robiciatennis.com)r
The rain seemed like it may have caused yet another suspension of play in Sydney, but it managed to stay very light until the end of the match.
The women’s doubles final featuring Eri Hozumi and Alicja Rosolska vs Aleksandra Krunic and Katerina Siniakova was suspended at 6-1 0-2, with Krunic and Siniakova having won the second set. The women’s singles semi-final between Petra Kvitova and Aliaksandra Sasnovich was set to follow Seppi and Schwartzman but is yet to start due to the rain.
The final of the Sydney International will be a battle between Seppi, and either Alex de Minaur of Australia or Gilles Simon of France.
Sydney, Australia – 11 January 2019: Andreas Seppi’s support team after winning the Sydney International singles semifinal match against Diego Schwartzman on Ken Rosewall Arena at Sydney Olympic Park. (Photo by Rob Keating/robiciatennis.com)
Sydney, Australia – 11 January 2019: Andreas Seppi with his arm around Diego Schwartzman after winning the Sydney International singles semifinal match on Ken Rosewall Arena at Sydney Olympic Park. (Photo by Rob Keating/robiciatennis.com)
