Andreas Seppi trounces Thomaz Bellucci to capture the crown – Kremlin Cup 2012
Second seed, Andreas Seppi, battled past the Brazilian star, Thomaz Bellucci, in a three-set thriller at the Kremlin Cup by Bank of Moscow 2012 on Sunday. He summed up a 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-3 victory against the fourth seed to capture his second year-to-date title at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 Series event held in Moscow, Russia.
The seeded Italian displayed exceptional skills to outclass Bellucci in their third encounter. After registering success in two hours and 25 minutes, Seppi improved to a 2-1 lifetime in the FedEx ATP Head 2 Head Series against Bellucci and captured his third career title. The veteran conquered the Serbia Open in Belgrade earlier this season (downed Benoit Paire).
Seppi stated in a courtside interview after overpowering the Brazilian:
"It is very special to win this title as I remember Yevgeny [Kafelnikov] winning so many times here and he was my idol growing up. I saw him a few times this week but I was too shy to ask him anything. It has been a great season for me, winning titles is so special, now I have won on all surfaces and that means a lot."
The 28-year-old made a drastic entry at the Olympic Stadium. However, he made an epic comeback and eventually stole the limelight.
Bellucci made quick in-roads at this indoor hard court event. He cashed the lone break chance in the fourth game and jumped to a 4-1 lead. The Brazilian blocked the only breakpoint he faced and pulled out the opener by winning six games to three.
Ranked 22nd in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Seppi carried his losing ways in the following set. He gifted away his serve in the seventh game and went 3-5 down. The Italian recovered in 10th game but failed to serve out the set. However, Seppi not only snatched his break back in the final game but prevailed in it, eventually sealing the equaliser with a 7-6(3) win.
The Italian veteran unveiled his true colours in the final set. After Bellucci held his serve in the fifth game, Seppi reeled off last four games and clinched the decider with a 6-3 score line.
With this victory, Seppi received 250 ATP ranking points and pocketed $121,500 in prize money.
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