Bernard Tomic vs Andreas Seppi: Sydney International semi-finals live scores, blog
Roar Guru By Alan Nicolea, 11 Jan 2013 Alan Nicolea is a Roar Guru & Live Blogger
- Tagged:
- Bernard Tomic, Tennis
After surviving a scare last night, Bernard Tomic will be eager to hit the ground running today as he fights for a place in the final of the Sydney International against in-form Italian Andreas Seppi. Join us for live scores and commentary from 3:00pm AEDT.
Tomic was off the blocks slowly against Nieminen but managed to come back from a set down to win 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 in just under two hours.
While not at his best, Tomic showed great attitude to stick with Nieminen during the second set and wrestled momentum away from the defending champion to finish strongly in the third set.
It will be interesting to see how Tomic deals with the short turnaround when he faces Seppi, who also performed strongly in his quarter-final victory over Marcel Granollers.
With temperatures expected to hit 40 degrees today, the conditions will certainly test both players this afternoon, and with this in mind, whoever wins the first set may go a long way to winning this contest.
Prediction
Despite being 28 years of age, Seppi had his best season to date in 2012, making the Rome Masters semi-finals and the French Open fourth round last year.
Seppi was on the verge of making the quarter-finals at Roland Garros but lost to world no.1 Novak Djokovic after holding a two sets to love lead in the match.
On form, Seppi should present Tomic with his toughest challenge to date in Sydney so the Australian can ill-afford to start slowly against the Italian in tough conditions.
Tomic at his best does have Seppi covered when it comes to flair and power, with the Australian able to hit strong serves and forehands at will when on form.
If Seppi manages to keep the ball in play however, Tomic is prone to making several unforced errors as evidenced during the first set of yesterday’s win over Nieminen.
While Seppi will certainly test Tomic this evening, Tomic is riding a wave of momentum at the moment and should be favoured to progress to his maiden ATP tour final today.
Tomic in straight sets.
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- Bernard Tomic, Tennis
5:53pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:53pm | Report comment
GAME SET AND MATCH TOMIC – Tomic serves well and secures a straight sets 7-6, 6-4 victory over Seppi and secures a place in the final of the Apia International where he will play Kevin Anderson of South Africa. It was another gutsy and classy display from Tomic who survived several set and break points in the first set to secure the set and from there, he was never really troubled on serve against Seppi. On form you have to say that Tomic is favourite against Anderson given his strong form infront of the aussie crowd. Anderson though has been in good form and will test Tomic tomorrow. Thanks for joining us today and we look forward to your company tomorrow for Hewitt – Del Potro and tomic – Anderson
Seppi 6 4
Tomic 7 6
1:16am
kellett_1992 said | 1:16am | Report comment
Alan Nicolea,
I would just like to thank you for following of Tomic throughout his most recent matches. I have unfortunately not been home to keep an eye on the match but when I do get home I have a detailed match summary laid out for me. Thank you.
Regards Kellett_1992
5:40pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:40pm | Report comment
Double fault from Seppi and its 15-30 Tomic now as the Australian presses for a break. Another double fault from Seppi and its two break points for Tomic here…..
Seppi 6 4
Tomic 7 4
5:39pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:39pm | Report comment
Seppi wide with the forehand and its 15 all
Seppi 6 4
Tomic 7 4
5:38pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:38pm | Report comment
Tomic with game point here and he produces a great second kick serve and its 4-4 second set.
Seppi 6 4
Tomic 7 4
5:37pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:37pm | Report comment
Seppi nets the forehand and its game point for Tomic. Tomic though nets the forehand and its deuce now. Seppi with a look in here,…
Seppi 6 4
Tomic 7 3
5:36pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:36pm | Report comment
Tomic with a wild forehand swing that goes well wide and its 30-30 now
Seppi 6 4
Tomic 7 3
5:36pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:36pm | Report comment
Well Seppi has not looked like being broken today and it may take another tiebreaker for Tomic to pull through here. The Italian has done well to get over the first set loss. Tomic continues to hold easily himself however and is playing well in tough conditions.
Tomic too good with the wide serve and drop shot and its 30-0
Seppi 6 4
Tomic 7 3
5:34pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:34pm | Report comment
Seppi on course for another easy service hold here and he holds with another ace down the tee and leads 4-3 second set.
Seppi 6 4
Tomic 7 3
5:33pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:33pm | Report comment
Good play at the net from Seppi and he forces the error from Tomic. 15-0. Tomic’s backhand goes long and its 30-0
Seppi 6 3
Tomic 7 3
5:32pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:32pm | Report comment
Tomic with a solid forehand winner after serving well down the tee and he holds to 15 and its 3-3 second set.
Seppi 6 3
Tomic 7 3
5:31pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:31pm | Report comment
Three game points for Tomic now but Seppi produces a nice drop shot winner and its 40-15
Seppi 6 3
Tomic 7 2
5:30pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:30pm | Report comment
Tomic with a wide ace and its 30-0
Seppi 6 3
Tomic 7 2
5:28pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:28pm | Report comment
Seppi with another ace and its game point for the Italian. He has served well today. Seppi with another ace and he holds well to lead 3-2 second set.
Seppi 6 3
Tomic 7 2
5:28pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:28pm | Report comment
Seppi with another poor forehand miss after setting up the point with a strong wide serve. 30 all
Seppi 6 2
Tomic 7 2
5:27pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:27pm | Report comment
Poor forehand from Seppi that hits the low part of the net after failing to handle Tomic’s slices. 0-15. Seppi though responds with an ace.
Seppi 6 2
Tomic 7 2
5:26pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:26pm | Report comment
Tomic with good serves yet again and he holds comfortably and its 2-2 second set.
Seppi 6 2
Tomic 7 2
5:24pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:24pm | Report comment
What a terrific backhand slice return from Tomic and its 15-0 after it looked as if Seppi did enough with the forehand. Great stuff. Seppi this time produces a forehand winner and its 15 all
Seppi 6 2
Tomic 7 1
5:22pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:22pm | Report comment
30-0 thanks to two good Seppi serves. How will the Italian handle losing the first set after that huge call against his forehand winner that would have secured the first set for him? So far so good as Seppi holds to love and leads 2-1 second set.
Seppi 6 2
Tomic 7 1
5:21pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:21pm | Report comment
Tomic serving well and has momentum here after winning a drama filled opening set. He holds with an ace and its 1-1 second set.
Seppi 6 1
Tomic 7 1
5:19pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:19pm | Report comment
Seppi holds to love with a forehand winner to the open court and he leads 1-0 second set.
Seppi 6 1
Tomic 7 0
5:18pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:18pm | Report comment
Seppi 6 0
Tomic 7 0
30-0 as Seppi tries to hold and play ahead in the second set
5:15pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:15pm | Report comment
FIRST SET TOMIC – Seppi nets the forehand and Tomic does well to survive break points and set points to secure an epic first set after just under an hour. You have to like his chances now.
Seppi 6 0
Tomic 7 0
5:14pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:14pm | Report comment
Tomic responds with a great wide serve and its 10 all in the tiebreaker. No player wants to give this up although Seppi now has a look at a Tomic second serve. Great wide serve from Tomic and he finishes off with an easy forehand winner. 11-10 Tomic
Seppi 6
Tomic 6
5:13pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:13pm | Report comment
This has been a quality tiebreaker between two inform players. Huge set this one. Tomic nets the backhand and Seppi with another set point of his own.
Seppi 6
Tomic 6
5:12pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:12pm | Report comment
Tomic with another crucial forehand winner in-behind Seppi and its another set point for the Australian who is playing great tennis under pressure. Seppi will rue the dodgy line call though that cost him the first set. Huge moment that one. 9-9 as Sepp produces another gun wide serve
Seppi 6
Tomic 6
5:11pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:11pm | Report comment
Seppi with a wide serve and Tomic hits the net with the return. Seppi with the set point here. The Italian has served well under pressure. Huge moment now as Seppi’s forehand winner is called out but is overruled when he had Tomic at his mercy. Point to be replayed. Great aggressive hitting from Tomic from the forehand and backhand side and its 8-8 tiebreaker. Great play here.
Seppi 6
Tomic 6
5:09pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:09pm | Report comment
Tomic with a crucial ace and he now has set point. Tomic hits the net with the attempted forehand pass shot and its 7-7 tiebreaker
Seppi 6
Tomic 6
5:08pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:08pm | Report comment
Seppi with a very loose forehand that goes way long and its 6-6 all in the tiebreaker. Seppi squanders two set points and that will play on the Italian’s mind that’s for sure.
Seppi 6
Tomic 6
5:07pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:07pm | Report comment
Terrific serving from Seppi as he nails an ace out wide. Set point for the Italian. Tomic survives as he returns well and produces a strong forehand winner. 6-5 Seppi
Seppi 6
Tomic 6
5:06pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:06pm | Report comment
Seppi goes long with the backhand and its 4-4 in the tiebreaker. Seppi with a look at the second serve here and he gets the mini-break as Tomic hits the net with the forehand. 5-4 Seppi
Seppi 6
Tomic 6
5:05pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:05pm | Report comment
Tomic goes well wide with his return and its 3-3 in tiebreaker. Seppi with another wide serve and Tomic hits the net with the return and its 4-3 Seppi now
Seppi 6
Tomic 6
5:04pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:04pm | Report comment
Great forehand crosscourt winner from Tomic and its 2-2 in the tiebreaker. Great stuff on a big point there from the Australian. He follows with a strong serve and he leads 3-2
Seppi 6
Tomic 6
5:03pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:03pm | Report comment
Poor backhand slice from Tomic that hits the net and its 1-1 in the tiebreaker. Sepp with an ace and its 2-1 Seppi
Seppi 6
Tomic 6
5:02pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:02pm | Report comment
Tomic with a nice volley at the net and its 1-0 Tomic
Seppi 6
Tomic 6
5:01pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:01pm | Report comment
Seppi holds with two strong first serves and its tiebreaker time here!
Seppi 6
Tomic 6
5:01pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:01pm | Report comment
Seppi with a strong wide serve and its game point for the Italian who has looked alot more comfortable on serve than Tomic. Now Tomic however has upped the pace and its deuce courtesy of a strong forehand
Seppi 5
Tomic 6
5:00pm
Alan Nicolea said | 5:00pm | Report comment
Great crosscourt backhand from Tomic and its 30-30
Seppi 5
Tomic 6
4:58pm
Alan Nicolea said | 4:58pm | Report comment
Tomic is complaining of dizzyness here during the break so this first set becomes even more vital for Tomic. If he loses, retirement not out of the question. Should be wearing a hat.
30-0 Seppi
Seppi 5
Tomic 6
4:56pm
Alan Nicolea said | 4:56pm | Report comment
GAME TOMIC – Tomic saves five break points and secures the game with a solid serve and forehand combination. That was a big hold by the Australian and the pressure is on Seppi to hold to stay in the first set.
Seppi 5
Tomic 6
4:55pm
Alan Nicolea said | 4:55pm | Report comment
Seppi with another unforced error from the backhand side and its game point Tomic but Seppi responds with a crushing forehand that Tomic cannot return .Deuce
Seppi 5
Tomic 5
4:54pm
Alan Nicolea said | 4:54pm | Report comment
Bad miss from Seppi as Tomic is let off the hook big time there as the Italian goes long with the forehand on break point. Huge chance missed.
Seppi 5
Tomic 5
4:53pm
Alan Nicolea said | 4:53pm | Report comment
Seppi too good with the forehand and its another break point as the Italian pressures the Tomic serve. Tomic responds with a great serve and forehand combination and its back to deuce
Seppi 5
Tomic 5
4:52pm
Alan Nicolea said | 4:52pm | Report comment
Deuce as Seppi’s forehand goes just wide. Tomic back in the game now after saving three break points. This is a big game now in the context of the match. Sepp with another break point courtesy of a strong return
Seppi 5
Tomic 5
4:50pm
Alan Nicolea said | 4:50pm | Report comment
Three break points for Seppi now as Tomic loses his way bigtime in this service game. A strong serve and forehand winner and he gets it back to 15-40. 30-40 now
Seppi 5
Tomic 5
4:49pm
Alan Nicolea said | 4:49pm | Report comment
Tomic with a bad forehand miss down the line and its 0-30. Danger time in first set for the Australian
Seppi 5
Tomic 5
4:49pm
Alan Nicolea said | 4:49pm | Report comment
Seppi serving well though under pressure and forcing Tomic back on the baseline and he now has game point. Seppi with a wide serve that is quick and Tomic fails to return and Seppi holds well.
Seppi 5
Tomic 5
4:47pm
Alan Nicolea said | 4:47pm | Report comment
Great rally ends with a wonderful Tomic forehand down the line and its 15-30 Tomic at 5-4 first set. Great point.
Seppi 4
Tomic 5
4:43pm
Alan Nicolea said | 4:43pm | Report comment
Seppi and Tomic evely matched at the moment as they both hold easily here.
Seppi 4
Tomic 4
4:38pm
Alan Nicolea said | 4:38pm | Report comment
Tomic with a good wide ace and its 30-15
Seppi 3
Tomic 3
4:37pm
Alan Nicolea said | 4:37pm | Report comment
GAME SEPPI – Seppi with an ace down the tee and its 40-15 to the Italian who is looking solid here. Another ace outwide and he holds well for 3-3
Seppi 3
Tomic 3
4:36pm
Alan Nicolea said | 4:36pm | Report comment
Yeah Tristan. Federer still a major roadblock for Tomic down under. I think his scalp is just beyond Tomic at this stage despite his good form, assuming he gets past Mayer of course. One match at a time.
15-15 as a length rally ends with Seppi hitting the net with the backhand
Seppi 2
Tomic 3
4:34pm
Alan Nicolea said | 4:34pm | Report comment
Both players holding serve pretty easily despite some solid groundstroke winners from both Seppi and Tomic. Tomic hitting the ball match better than in the first set against Nieminen yesterday. Long way to go though in testing conditions.
Seppi 2
Tomic 3
4:23pm
Alan Nicolea said | 4:23pm | Report comment
Tomic with another strong forehand and its 0-15
Seppi 0
Tomic 1
4:22pm
Alan Nicolea said | 4:22pm | Report comment
GAME TOMIC – Good groundstrokes from Tomic early particularly from the forehand side and he holds to love.
Seppi 0
Tomic 1
4:21pm
Alan Nicolea said | 4:21pm | Report comment
Tomic to serve….
Seppi hits the net with the backhand and its 15-0. Seppi returns long and its 30-0
Seppi 0
Tomic 0
4:18pm
Alan Nicolea said | 4:18pm | Report comment
Both players warming up now…..
4:11pm
Alan Nicolea said | 4:11pm | Report comment
For those who have not heard Tomic will play Argentine Leonardo Mayer in the first round of the Aus Open and is scheduled for a third round clash with Roger Federer if he wins his first two matches.
Hewitt meanwhile will open his campaign against Tipsarevic. Its a tough opening but Hewitt in Australia makes this match an even money bet in my opinion. He is in Ferrer’s side of the draw which is not too bad to be honest.
What do you think of the draw?
4:26pm
Tristan Rayner said | 4:26pm | Report comment
Federer? Uh oh
4:08pm
Alan Nicolea said | 4:08pm | Report comment
Congratulations to Kevin Anderson who beat Bennetau to progress to his first Sydney final. He will now play the winner of the upcoming match between Tomic and Seppi. Tomic is playing really well at the moment and will be keen to fire and secure a place in the final against Anderson. Seppi though is in career best form and will be keen to progress to a rare ATP tour final. Join us and have your say on the match as it happens.