Tomic vs Seppi: Hopman Cup live scores, blog

Well with that win, that's it from me tonight Roarers. Hope you've enjoyed the commentary. It's great to have you on board with me. Until next time.

On his win and preparation into the tournament, Tomic says: "The last few months were very hard. I was focusing a lot on my fitness and my serve and I've been seeing lately it's been paying off and that's what you need to do to play against these top players. To serve well and I'm happy I trained really well and prepared for this and I've won 3 matches that are very important before the summer of tennis in Melbourne". A great start to the year for Tomic. Hopefully he can carry on this form into Melbourne and of course the rest of the year. He's been touted as the one to watch in 2013 and could crack the top-10 by the end of the year. Do you think that's a bit pre-mature at this stage and are people just jumping the gun too early? Or after these performances is he a genuine contender? I guess only time will tell but one things for sure, he is definitely showing some great signs, he's playing great tennis and building up a lot of confidence. At this stage, that's a huge plus for him.

Some match stats for you: Aces: Tomic - 8, Seppi - 4 Winners: Tomic 27, Seppu 18 Unforced Errors: Tomic 26, Seppi 26 Net points won: Tomic 10/15, Seppi 10/15 And probably the most crucial and costly part to Seppi's loss, the double faults. Seppi had 5 whilst Tomic had 0.

Tomic 6-3 7-5 Seppi And it's all over, Tomic takes the match 6-3 7-5! Fantastic play from Tomic as he wraps the match up with a dominant game of an ace, two un-returnable serves races the Aussie up to 40-0. But Seppi was not going away forcing it back to 40-30. Tomic seals the win after a long rally in which Seppi forces a forehand into the net.

*Tomic 6-3 6-5 Seppi Tomic with some crafty work of his own as he casually sends a slice forehand just over the net which Seppi cannot reciprocate, insteading sending it into the net. A powerful forehand hands him a break point before he is handed a gift with Seppi's 5th double fault of the match. Tomic now serving for the match.

Tomic 6-3 5-5 Seppi* Tomic continuing his impressive play with a strong service game to love to level at 5-5. He has some tremendous power but his errors are what's costing him. Definitely something he needs to work on heading into Melbourne in just over a week's time.

*Tomic 6-3 4-5 Seppi Two Tomic errors out wide allows Seppi to race to a 30-0 lead but Tomic fights back with a wonderful get from a Seppi drop shot which lands just inside the baseline. Sheer brilliance. Seppi hangs on after Tomic sends a cross court backhand just wide. The Italian now up 5-4.

Tomic 6-3 4-4 Seppi* Seppi tries to change up the pace by coming into the net and putting clean winner volleys away. But Tomic is not going away, producing a stunning second serve to keep the set on serve.

*Tomic 6-3 3-4 Seppi Another easy game for Seppi as he takes it to love. Only point during that game went beyond three shots.

Tomic 6-3 3-3 Seppi* A great rally to open the game with at least 10 shots played. Tomic wins it with a fantastic forehand down the line which just falls inside the singles side line. Tomic starting to show he's not messing around producing another glorious off forehand drive down the line before finishing off the game with an ace.

*Tomic 6-3 2-3 Seppi A relatively easy game for the Italian who takes the game thanks to four unforced errors from Tomic. Still on serve but Italy down a set.

Tomic is one of the few players on tour who I find makes everything seem so easy. All his shots look like he could well be on a practice court but the amount of power he can penetrate is amazing. The only other player I know who can do that is Federer.

Tomic 6-3 2-2 Seppi* It's a battle of reflexes as both players come to the net and show off their volleying skills. It was Tomic who prevailed sending a clean winner out wide before backing it up with yet another great serve to take the game.

*Tomic 6-3 1-2 Seppi Great move into the net sees Seppi put away a backhand volley at 30-15. After following it up with a un-returnable serve, Tomic hits a ripper forehand across court to make it 40-30 but can't return an out wide serve on the backhand side which hands Seppi the game.

Tomic 6-3 1-1 Seppi* Ace number six hands Tomic a game point but he can't convert after sending an easy off forehand into the net. However a great serve once again saves Tomic as he holds after forcing Seppi to send his return long.

*Tomic 6-3 0-1 Seppi Two costly double faults in that game hand Tomic two points. But the Italian rallies and hangs on the game after being forced to deuce. Interestingly it was a Tomic volley into the net that won him the game. Like I said, the net will definitely play a role one way or another in this match.

I think this match will come down to a battle of net tactics. Both players won 4/5 from the net in the first set and if penetrable with their volleys can easily bring out clear winners.

SOme first set stats: Aces: Tomic - 5 - Seppi - 2 Double Faults - Tomic -0 - Seppi 2 Break points won Tomic 1/5 - Seppi 2/3 Net Points won Tomic - 4/5 - Seppi 4/5

Tomic 6-3 Seppi* Tomic takes the first set 6-3 in emphatic style as a punishing forehand down-the-line forces Seppi to send his return wide! Great play from the Australian.

*Tomic 5-3 Seppi It's an interesting game from both players, as the dominant their serve but are making too many errors. Seppi however in control of that game but trails 5-3.