Former top 20 Italian force Andreas Seppi commenced his 2018 campaign in Canberra this week and compared East Hotel Canberra Challenger to an ATP World Tour 250 event.
“It’s not much weaker than a 250,” he said.
“There may not be top 20 or top 30 guys, but in the end, all matches are very difficult. It’s like playing a 250 until the semis, it’s a very strong field.”
Seppi edged out Germany’s Maximilan Marterer in a thrilling opening round match on Monday in Lyneham, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7).
“It was a very difficult first round, he’s a good player and a leftie, so [he] served very well,” he said. “It was a close match and I was very happy to get through.”
After starting 2017 with a fourth round appearance at Australian Open, a series of early round tournament losses saw Seppi’s ranking fall outside the top 100.
The three time ATP Tour champion is hoping to play as many matches as possible this year to increase his ranking back to former glory.
“It’s my first time here and hopefully I can play as many matches as possible,” he said.
“It’s not easy going back and playing Challengers and competing against all these good guys,” he said.
“I had a short preseason and I wanted to play a few more matches, as many as I can. I’m feeling well, that’s the most important thing.
Seppi reached a career high of 18 in 2013. Continuing good form, Seppi defeated Grand Slam Champion Roger Federer out of Australian Open 2015 and Canberra’s Nick Kyrgios at Australian Open 2017.
Seppi is hopeful he can have has some luck in the Australian Open 2018 main draw.
“I’m very excited to be back, I’ve played some good tennis in Melbourne the last three years.
“I’ve had some tough matches, some very close ones, so hopefully I can avoid him [Kyrgios].
Seppi has been enjoying some familiarities of home with in the capital.
“We had dinner at the hotel, Agostini’s, it’s Italian so I think we’ll stick with that one,” Seppi said.
Seppi’s attention will now turn to his second round match with qualifier Nathan Pasha (USA) who also come through an epic first round encounter over Australian Thomas Fancutt 6-4 2-6 7-6(2).
In other matches on day four third seed Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) recorded a comfortable win over Sekou Bangoura (USA), while fourth seed Mikhail Kukushkin retired due to illness after losing the first set to qualifier Jeremy Beale (AUS). Tim Puetz (GER), Elliot Benchetrit (FRA), and Geoffrey Blancaneaux (FRA) all progressed to the second round.
Top seed and defending champion Dudi Sela’s first round clash with Hugo Grenier (FRA) was held over due to rain. The pair will open proceedings on centre court on Wednesday at 10.30am, with the winner to play again later in the day.
All second round matches will take place on Wednesday with free entry to the Canberra Tennis Centre.
Full order of play is available here.
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