Benjamin Becker stuns Andreas Seppi to lift title – Internazionali Tennis Val Gardena Sudtirol 2012
German veteran, Benjamin Becker, crushed the top seeded local star, Andreas Seppi, with a breadstick at the Internazionali Tennis Val Gardena Sudtirol 2012 on Sunday. He penned down a 6-1, 6-4 victory against the world number 23 to capture the title at this
ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Challenger Tour event taking place in Urtijei, Italy.
Seeded second in this event, Becker showed top notch performance to outclass local wild card recipient in straight sets in their first encounter. After recording this victory in one hour and four minutes, Becker convincingly grabbed the title and the prize
money.
Becker made a thunderous entry at the Tennis Center Urtijei. After Seppi plucked his serve in the second game, the German unveiled his true potential and reeled off last five games consecutively. He was never threatened with any barrier and capitalised on
two out of five break chances to pull out the opener with a breadstick.
Ranked 79th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Becker carried his rhythm in the following set. He got the coveted break in the third game and leaped to a 3-1 lead. The German held his composure and smoothly bagged his remaining
serves, eventually clinching the set with a 6-4 score line. He superbly fended off all five breakpoints he came across and converted one out of five break chances to his advantage.
All in all, the 31-year-old struck eight aces and ruled throughout the battle. He spilled fewer double faults and despite clobbering an equal first serve share of 52 per cent, Becker amazingly clinched 27 out of 30 points on it. He sought 10 break chances
and ended the battle with 69 points.
The Merzig native lost only a single set en route to the final showdown. He gifted away the second set in his quarter-final match against eighth seeded Ruben Bemelmans. However, the German remained focused and triumphed the Belgian seed with a 6-3, 2-6,
6-3 victory.
Becker then maintained consistency in his final four clash against the local challenger, Matteo Viola. He was broken twice but cashed four out of 13 break chances to clobber a 7-5, 7-5 victory in one hour and 38 minutes.
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