Quarter final day at the Sydney International.
Stefanos Tsitsipas (1) v Andreas Seppi (8)
Tsitsipas opened proceedings, serving, and won the first point covering the net.
He repeated on the third point, and a drop shot surprised Seppi to give the Greek game points. One was saved with an aggressive Seppi backhand forcing the error. A down the line forehand winner sealed the opening game for Tsitsipas.
In contrast to the previous game, errors dominated game two which saw Seppi tie things at 1-1.
Tsitsipas moved forward to hit a fine forehand, his fifth winner already in the match. An ace for a comfortable hold. 2-1 to the top seed.
A Seppi winning forehand was coupled with a number of errors before the Italian held for 2-2
Success at the net and three big serves assisted Tsitsipas to 3-2.
After a couple of ordinary points Seppi threw in an ace and then held easily. 3-3
Tsitsipas continued attacking, occasionally missing with his backhand, but able to fight his way out of an uneasy situation, as in game seven, down 15-30. He won the final three points to move ahead 4-3
The next two games went to serve - included in there was a wonderful forehand pass from Tsitsipas, one of the shots of the tournament.
Seppi was now serving at 4-5, needing to hold to remain in the set.
Incredible defence from Tsitsipas in the first rally eventually paid dividends as his final run to play a drop shot caused Seppi to mess up the reply.
A forehand winner off the Italian racquet was the perfect response. Two Seppi errors brought up two set points. A wide serve saved one. A Seppi forehand pushed out of court and the top seed was ahead 6-4.
Seppi stepped up the pace on his returning, and on the second of two break points, cashed in to lead 1-0 in set two.
He maintained the break advantage throughout the set, managing to save the three break points he faced.
Despite poor first serve percentages from both players, they each were strong winning points when the first delivery was valid. Seppi was equally successful behind his second serve.
The sets were split following Seppi taking set two 6-4.
The decider began with Tsitsipas at the line - an ace plus a trio of Italian unforced errors was the ideal opening game for Stefanos. Andreas followed suit with a love game of his own, a winning forehand sealing it.
11 straight points with the server until Tsitsipas pushed an off forehand wide, but an ace drove him safely to 2-1, surrendering only the single point.
A backhand winner down the line finished a second love game in a row for Seppi. 2-2.
A double fault from the Greek racquet was followed by an ace and the game to Tsitsipas for 3-2. A backhand winner and a put away at the net highlighted a Seppi service hold.
After two aces, the top seed found trouble, loose tennis leading him to 30-30. Another ace brought him game point, but a wild backhand took it to deuce.
Two winning forehands and Stefanos continued the run of service holds in the set to seven.
Seppi committed a pair of unforced errors, but a winner when Seppi came to the net made it 30-30. A game point was lost when the eighth seed put a forehand wide. A sizzling forehand return shocked Seppi into error, and created a break point. Seppi steadied but another break opportunity was presented. Again, amid crisis, the Italian held his nerve and held his serve. 4-4
Big serving from Tsitsipas and 30-0. A Seppi miss presented two game points to the top seed. A high class Seppi backhand pass plus a wild forehand Tsitsipas miss put it at 30-30. Another fine serve and game point but a superb backhand from Italy chose a journey to deuce.
An exhilarating forehand pass produced a break point for Andreas, his first for the set. Saved in style. A second game point disappeared thanks to an attacking forehand by Seppi. That same forehand forced more Greek worry and a second break point.
Seppi converted, coming to the net and striking the forehand into open court.
Serving for the match, Seppi began with an exquisite drop shot, followed by an ace, and when the second of two errors was donated by Tsitsipas, the totally enjoyable match was won.
Andreas Seppi defeated the top seed 4-6 6-4 6-4.
Other ATP Quarter finals
Diego Schwartzman (3) defeated qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka 6-1 3-6 7-6(1), and will play Andreas Seppi in the semis
Alex de Minaur (5) defeated wildcard Jordan Thompson 7-6(4) 6-3
Gilles Simon (4) defeated John Millman 7-5 3-6 7-6(3), and will play Alex de Minaur in the semis
WTA Quarter finals
Ash Barty defeated Elise Mertens (10) 6-3 6-3
Kiki Bertens (7) defeated qualifier Yulia Putintseva 6-2 6-2, and will play Ash Barty in the semis
Qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich defeated Timea Bacsinszky 6-3 6-3
Wildcard Petra Kvitová (5) defeated Angie Kerber 6-4 6-1, and will play Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the semis
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