CANBERRA, January 14, 2018
Andreas Seppi has clinched his first title since 2014, winning the $75,000 EAST HOTEL Canberra Challenger. In his first final at any level since 2015, the 33-year-old Italian rallied past Marton Fucsovics of Hungary 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday.
In pretty windy conditions, Seppi saved seven of the 10 break points he faced, capitalizing on four of his own to secure victory in two hours and 16 minutes. The Bolzano native lifted his eighth ATP Challenger career trophy, his first down under.
Andreas Seppi is the champion in Canberra!
The 🇮🇹 rallies past Marton Fucsovics 57 64 63 for his eighth #ATPChallenger 🏆. First pro title since 2014. pic.twitter.com/fgsAGq3QAc
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) 13. Januar 2018
“In the first round I was match point down so to stand here now with the trophy is very important for me,” told Seppi during the on-court ceremony. The seventh seed overcame Germany’s Maximilian Marterer in his opening match.
Seppi takes away $10,800 in prize money as well as 80 ATP ranking points. Both finalists will now head for Melbourne to compete at the Australian Open. The Italian veteran will start his Grand Slam campaign against French teenager Corentin Moutet. Fucsovics will play Moldova’s Radu Albot.
