Andreas Seppi was eliminated in the third round. © APA / getty / AL BELLO
Andreas Seppi caused enthusiasm and amazement at the US Open. In the third round of the major tournament in New York, the 37-year-old Kalterer’s late summer tale came to an end.
04. September 2021
Author: it
Seppi lost on Saturday evening (CEST) against the German qualifier and high-flyer Oscar Otte after a little more than two and a half hours with 3: 6, 4: 6, 6: 2, 5: 7. The Überetscher missed the first-time entry into the round of 16 of the US Open, but has collected a lot of sympathy and recognition points these days. And: In all likelihood, it will remain in the top 100 this year.
On paper, Seppi was the favorite on Saturday. In the world rankings, the 37-year-old is 89th, while Otte is “only” 144th. In addition, the 28-year-old German had to go through the tough qualification process. But the Cologne man has a terrific run in New York: He eliminated Lorenzo Sonego (ATP 23) and Denis Kudla (ATP 92) in the previous rounds. In short: Otte is the sensation man in the Big Apple.
Oscar Otte is in the round of 16. © APA / getty / AL BELLO
But Seppi also became a little sensation in New York, as he was able to eliminate the highly rated Marton Fucsovics (ATP 41) and Hubert Hurkacz (ATP 13) in the first two rounds. So the match had a lot to offer. In fact, the fans got to see a hard-fought third-round match in which Seppi was quickly 0-2 behind in sets, but then launched another remarkable attack. But Otte was simply too strong that day. He will now meet Italy’s best tennis player Matteo Berrettini in the round of 16.
Starting difficulties at Seppi
Seppi struggled to get into the game in high summer temperatures on Court 17 at Flushing Meadows. His first two wins in this tournament have left their mark, the Kalterer made a tired impression, played wait and see and let his opponent take the initiative. In three of his four service games in the first set, the 37-year-old allowed break chances, two of which Otte took advantage of: first to 3: 1 and then to 5: 3, which is why the German then confidently closed the first set.
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Seppi showed once again a big fighter heart. © APA / getty / AL BELLO
In the second section “Andy” got off the starting blocks better and led 2: 1. But after that the Überetscher scattered a lot of slight mistakes, while high-flyer Otte served well and benefited from the blunders of his opponent, who was nine years older than him. The result: 6: 4 set win for the German, who now led 2: 0. A qualifier driven by euphoria on the one hand, a visibly ailing Seppi on the other – in short: At that point in time, there was not much to suggest that the 37-year-old should come back in this game.
The veteran reports back impressively
But you should never write off an Andreas Seppi. The South Tyrolean took a short toilet break and came back to the square as if transformed. He promptly took the serve from Otte and pulled away to 3-0. Because Seppi then gained more and more confidence in his own service and his game looked much more solid overall, he took the set with a break chance. The Kalterer was finally in the game!
This was also evident in the fourth sentence. What caught the eye: Seppi’s service in particular now worked smoothly, while Otte clearly had to fight harder not to lose touch. Nevertheless, both professionals managed their serves. Then came the fateful 11th game, in which Otte took over the service from the veteran and shortly after turned the first match point.
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