Richard defeated the Italian Andreas Seppi 6-3
3-6 6-3 6-1. He will face Andrey Golubev in round 2.
Richard started with getting broken, but could already rebreak for 2 all. It was hot and very windy out there, apparently both players had to adapt to the conditions. Richard broke for 4-2 and took the first set without hesitation.At the beginning of the second set, Seppi broke to go 3-0 up. Richard got the break back, but Seppi broke again for 4-2 and this time, he did not let loose.
Even with that set lost, one never had the feeling that Richard was about to lose this match, he served well throughout and found a good balance between attack and defense. He went 3-0 up quickly and there was no return for Seppi.
There was a moment of frightening, when Richard took a medical time-out after he had taken the 3rd set 6-3, he got his right leg masssaged. However, strange as it may sound, this was the moment to get really started. Richard blasted winners left and right. The Italian had no answers and conceded the set and the match 1-6.
