Florian Mayer got the first seven points. But Andreas Seppi still kept his cool. The Italian fended off the three break points and won his first service 1:1. And Andreas Seppi put another log in the fire, took the 2:1-lead off Florian Mayer in the following service with his first break point. But that still wasn't enough. A further break and two service-wins further on it read 5:1. After 29 minutes Andreas Seppi hat won the first set 6:2.
The 34 year old had already demonstrated that he can play well on grass at the GERRY WEBER OPEN in 2015. Back then he lost in the finals to the "King of grass" Roger Federer only just 6:7, 4:6. And in Wimbledon, too, he got to the Round of Sixteen in 2013. But Florian Mayer can offer bigger successes on this surface. The also 34 year old won the GERRY WEBER OPEN in 2016 and in Wimbledon he got to the Quarters in 2012 and 2004. Apart from that Florian Mayer won the only previous duel on grass against Andreas Seppi. All this should have been a good foundation for Florian Mayer.
But the statistics didn't seem to interest the Italian a bit. He played on solidly, nearly without errors, afflicting Florian Mayer again and again with his long-placed baseline shots. The German was able to keep up and it was an even second round to start with. Break chances were hardly to be seen. That changed in the dubious seventh game. Andreas Seppi went into full throttle when Florian Mayer was serving, getting his opponents' service in a love game. This was the decider, because the Italian served on well, didn't let Florian Mayer get a break point. After 59 minutes and a score of 6:2, 6:4 Andreas Seppi was through to the Quarterfinals.
Florian Mayer,who competed at the GERRY WEBER OPEN for the last time was honoured despite losing the match. Just like Tommy Haas last year Florian Mayer received the Excellence Award of the Tournament. "I don't know in what function, but I will surely be back in Halle. Winning the Tournament in 2016 was one of the most wonderful moments of my career. I will never forget that", Florian Mayer explained after the match.
Andreas Seppi will now meet Croatian Borna Coric in the Quarterfinals.
