AO - Seppi d Thompson with ease

On Day Three of the 2019 Australian Open, the second match hosted by 1573 Arena was Australian Jordan Thompson in his contest with last weeks Sydney finalist Andreas Seppi. 

Thompson served first and the pair exchanged errors in the initial stages with Seppi gaining two break points.  One saved via a wayward Italian forehand. A framed Australian forehand gifted the break to Seppi who led 1-0.

A Seppi forehand down the line winner and superb touch winner at the net, were spoiled by a wild ground shot.  However, Thompson wasn’t threatening at this stage, so Seppi consolidated 2-0.

Fine defence by Thompson was ruined by a netted shot.  His ace and clever net winning point kept him tight but a loose attempt gave Seppi another break point.  It came and 3-0 was the ideal beginning for the Italian veteran.

Two Seppi misses maybe could give Thompson some encouragement, and he was granted two break opportunities at 15-40.  One was wasted.     A good return eventually forced Seppi into error and the break arrived.

An Australian ace for 15-0.  Another big serve and 30-15.  Still too many unforced errors from Thompson, and a Seppi winner brought up break point.  Saved.  Lengthy rally finished with a Seppi winner and a further break point.  Seppi missed a golden opportunity.  Good coverage at the net by Thompson and a backhand volley for a service hold.  3-2 Seppi.

Seppi missed long but then hit well with his forehand.  A wide Italian backhand and 30-30.  Thompson attacked and won a break chance.

A wide Seppi forehand and games were 3–3.

Winners from both and 15-15.  Forehand down the line from Seppi and ace from Thompson for 30-30.  Break point for Seppi.  It was there and he led 4-3.

Consolidation by Seppi to lead 5-3. Thompson had to hold to remain in the set.  At 30-30 he missed long and it was set point.  Saved with a long shot from Seppi.  A second set point after a Thompson netted forehand.  A repeat of that gave Seppi the set 6-3.

Seppi began set two with an ace.  At 40-0,  the Italian missed twice and Thompson hit a winning forehand.  Deuce.  A sensational sliced backhand pass, then an ace, from the Seppi racquet for 1-0.

Good serving from Thompson and 30-15.  A netted backhand and precarious 30-30.  An ace helped and a big serve levelled things at 1-1.

A solid game from Seppi, with three aces, and he led 2-1.

Three deuces, three break points, and two aces - Thompson survived all of that to be at 2-2.

Serves were held for the next five games, Seppi in a much easier fashion.

Thompson at the line at 4-5, requiring a hold to stay alive in set two.

15-0 following a quality serve.  A netted backhand and Thompson 15-15.

Awesome defence by Thompson wasted with a failed backhand and Seppi ahead.  Trouble compounded with a Thompson backhand landing somewhere in the western district.  Two set points to Seppi.

A sublime backhand pass was all it required for an Italian celebration.  Andreas Seppi clearly in charge 6-3 6-4.

In set three, no break chances appeared through nine games, and only once was deuce visited.

Both players were winning over 80% of points on their first serves and a tie break was beckoning.

Serving at 4-5, and needing to hold again to keep real his hopes, Thompson threw in a double fault.  A netted backhand followed and 0-30.  An Australian forehand winner and 15-30.  Thompson forehand into the net and Seppi had two match points.

Sadly a double fault saw the exit of another Australian.

Andreas Seppi won in a clinical display 6-3 6-4 6-4.