Qualifier Seppi Outlasts Hewitt at ATP Sydney
Posted on January 12, 2006Lleyton Hewitt was beaten for the first time at the Medibank International, by Italian qualifier Andreas Seppi on Thursday. Seppi saved two match points to snap Hewitt's 23-match streak with a 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 quarterfinal victory in two hours and 17 minutes.
Four-time champion Hewitt, lost two matches in 1998 and 1999 at the tournament's former site in White City.
Hewitt started with a bang taking the opening three games, but Seppi fought back to level the first set at 4-4. But Hewitt was not to be denied breaking Seppi once again before wrapping up the first set in 30 minutes.
The Australian dropped his serve four times in succession in the second set, but served for the match at 5-3. Seppi broke back and took a 6-5 lead before levelling the scoreline at one set all.
Leading 5-2 in the final set, Hewitt, the world number four looked to have the match in the bag.
Seppi required treatment for a knee injury but managed to win five successive games finishing with a forehand winner to earn the biggest victory in his career.
Hewitt made 61 unforced errors, converting six of 11 break points in comparison to Seppi's 27 winners and seven of 11 break points. The 21-year-old Italian served eight aces to Hewitt's five.
Seppi, who played three match to get through the qualifying tournament, will now play Igor Andreev of Russia in the semifinals.
Andreev moved through to the last four with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 win over compatriot Dmitry Tursunov in a tick over two hours on Centre Court. It was Andreev's second career victory over Tursunov, who won only three of 10 break points to Andreev's five of 14.
Eighth seed James Blake beat France's Arnaud Clement 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in two hours and one-minute, while second-seeded Nikolay Davydenko of Russia advanced to the semifinals following Paradorn Srcihaphan?s decision to withdraw with a thigh strain.
The Thai, who beat Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 7-6(5), 7-6(6) in a rain-delayed second round match earlier on Thursday, announced his decision to spectators on court. (ATP)
Four-time champion Hewitt, lost two matches in 1998 and 1999 at the tournament's former site in White City.
Hewitt started with a bang taking the opening three games, but Seppi fought back to level the first set at 4-4. But Hewitt was not to be denied breaking Seppi once again before wrapping up the first set in 30 minutes.
The Australian dropped his serve four times in succession in the second set, but served for the match at 5-3. Seppi broke back and took a 6-5 lead before levelling the scoreline at one set all.
Leading 5-2 in the final set, Hewitt, the world number four looked to have the match in the bag.
Seppi required treatment for a knee injury but managed to win five successive games finishing with a forehand winner to earn the biggest victory in his career.
Hewitt made 61 unforced errors, converting six of 11 break points in comparison to Seppi's 27 winners and seven of 11 break points. The 21-year-old Italian served eight aces to Hewitt's five.
Seppi, who played three match to get through the qualifying tournament, will now play Igor Andreev of Russia in the semifinals.
Andreev moved through to the last four with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 win over compatriot Dmitry Tursunov in a tick over two hours on Centre Court. It was Andreev's second career victory over Tursunov, who won only three of 10 break points to Andreev's five of 14.
Eighth seed James Blake beat France's Arnaud Clement 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in two hours and one-minute, while second-seeded Nikolay Davydenko of Russia advanced to the semifinals following Paradorn Srcihaphan?s decision to withdraw with a thigh strain.
The Thai, who beat Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 7-6(5), 7-6(6) in a rain-delayed second round match earlier on Thursday, announced his decision to spectators on court. (ATP)