Andreas Seppi had to admit defeat in two short sentences. © APA / afp / DAVID GRAY
The start of the ATP tour in Melbourne was not successful for Andreas Seppi. In the first match, the Kalterer had to bow to the Italian Salvatore Caruso (ATP 76.) in two very tight sets with 5: 7, 6: 7 (5: 7).
February 01, 2021
Seppi started the game well and buttoned Caruso from the break in the first game. Caruso managed a break to 2-2 a little later, but Seppi countered from the textbook and got the re-break. The first set win for Seppi was in the air, but in the decisive game the Kalterer showed nerves and took the break to 5: 5. Caruso had tasted blood, managed his service game and made the disaster perfect for Seppi with the next break – the first set went to Caruso.
The second movement was eerily the mirror image of the first – except for the end. Seppi made the break again directly, but Caruso equalized with a break to the score of 2: 2. Seppi re-broke again and had a set ball three times with a score of 5: 4. But he forgave everyone and so Caruso somehow made the break to 5: 5. So it went into the tiebreak. Two mini-breaks by Caruso seemed to decide the game first, but Seppi followed Caruso, took two serves from him and equalized to 5: 5. Caruso quickly found his way back on track and won the set.
Seppis Gegner Salvatore Caruso. © WHAT / afp / DAVID GRAY
Jannik Sinner has also known his individual second-round opponent since today. The 19-year-old from Pusteria, who started with a bye, will face local hero Aleksandar Vukic (ATP 195) on Tuesday. The Australian prevailed in two sets against Yen-Hsun Lu (ATP 1008) from Taiwan. Sinner, number 4 on the seed list and 36 in the world, and Vukic have never faced each other in their careers.
Jannik Sinner started the ATP Tour of 2021 with a win in doubles on Monday night.
Author: fs
