WHAT HAPPENED: In front of a packed crowd on Court 5, Andreas Seppi advanced past home favorite Sam Querrey, 6-7, 6-4, 6-2, 2-1 ret. after the American was forced to retire from the match.
Although the match ended in retirement for the American, Querrey started out strong in the sorching conditions.The San Francisco native found his groove early going 23 for 23 on first serves in the opening set and took it 7-6. Fans, stacked to standing room only at ground level and spilling over into Court 7 bleachers up high, cheered on the Americans efforts.
As time passed, so did Querrey's average serve speed decreasing with each set from 116, 114, 109, and 100 mph. Seppi, who failed to capitalize on two break points in the opening set, converted three of the next six. Entering the match, Seppi held a 4-2 lifetime advantage over Querrey including two of three on hard court.
The 34-year-old managed 12 aces to six double faults while the American’s stats were less favorable with 17 aces and 16 double faults.
The World No. 51, who reached the US Open quarterfinals in 2011, manages to best last year’s performance where he exited in the first round to Roberto Bautista Agut.
Seppi is no stranger to injuries. The Italian withdrew from Indian Wells, Miami, Umag, Hamburg and Cincinnati qualifying due to a left hip injury. The former World No. 18 picked up his eighth challenger title earlier in the season in Canberra.
WHAT IT MEANS: Despite reaching a career high of No. 11 earlier in February, Querrey's best Grand Slam finish this season is a third round placing at Wimbledon. Based off last year’s success of reaching a Slam semifinal and quarterfinal in 2017, it is undoubtedly not how the Las Vegas transplant envisioned the season. Defending points from last year' quarterfinal run, the American will fall in the rankings to No. 58.
For Seppi, a date with the winner of the All-Canadian teenage battle of Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime is looming. The right-hander has never faced either opponent. On the mend, the veteran may be licking his chops at an opportunity to quietly move through the draw.
MATCH POINT: Seppi fired off 33 winners and 22 unforced errors while Querrey hit 41 unforced errors to 37 winners.
