Andreas Seppi stuns John Isner in the second round – Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2012
World number 30, Andreas Seppi of Italy, pulled up the first major upset of the tournament, as he bounced from a deficit of one set to surprise ninth seed John Isner in three sets 2-6, 7-6(5), 7-5 in the second round at the Internazionali
BNL d’Italia in Rome, Italy on Wednesday.
Isner was by far the more dominant player in the first set, as he hit crucial blows to Seppi in the first and third game, capitalising on the double break to build a 4-0 lead. The American did not let away the opportunity he had
created due to his earlier hard work, closing it 6-2.
The 6ft 9in tall did not serve to his reputation though, as he hit just three aces and 50 percent of the first serves, clinching eight of the 13 points on them. He compensated that by grabbing four of the six points on the second
returns. The American evaded the only break threat he came across and utilised two of the four opportunities he got in the opener.
Isner and Seppi put on a brilliant serving display in the second set, as they held their serves throughout, equalising the score at 6-6 and taking it to a tie-breaker. They went on equal terms in the first six points, levelling
the score at 3-3 but then Seppi captured four of the next six to grab it 7-6(5).
The Italian hit more aces than Isner, bombarding six aces on him compared to five by the American in the second set. Seppi also converted impressively 25 of the 29 first serves into points. The 28-year-old failed to convert the
only break point he received but also saved the two he faced.
In a similar fashion to the second set, both players started in a steady manner in the decider, winning their serve in the first 10 games and taking the score to 5-5. Seppi rose to the moment and snatched two successively to triumph
7-5.
The Italian did not hit any ace of his own and survived seven from his big serving opponent. The 6ft 3in tall had a stunning conversion rate on serve, claiming 16 of the 18 first and eight of the 10 second delivery points in the
final set.
Seppi had to fight fiercely for two hours and 50 minutes to complete the upset.
The Italian will take on Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in the round of 16.
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