Tennis: Federer conqueror Seppi into Zagreb final

Italian veteran Andreas Seppi (above), the man who sent Roger Federer crashing out of the Australian Open, continued his impressive form by reaching the Zagreb ATP final on Saturday. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Italian veteran Andreas Seppi (above), the man who sent Roger Federer crashing out of the Australian Open, continued his impressive form by reaching the Zagreb ATP final on Saturday. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

ZAGREB (AFP) - Italian veteran Andreas Seppi, the man who sent Roger Federer crashing out of the Australian Open, continued his impressive form by reaching the Zagreb ATP final on Saturday.

The 30-year-old Seppi ended a 10-match losing streak against 17-time major winner Federer in Melbourne last month on his way to the fourth round.

In Doha, in the first week of the year, the 30-year-old reached the semi-finals.

On Saturday, the world No. 41 beat Spaniard Marcel Granollers, the eighth seed, 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 to make the final.

"I felt much better in the second set, that's why I played much better. It was not easy since I had an excellent opponent," said fifth-seeded Seppi.

On Sunday, he will face Spain's third-seeded Guillermo Garcia-Lopez after the 31-year-old defeated Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus, 6-4, 6-4.

"I was a bit nervous when I served for the match, but it is understandable since a lot was at stake," said Garcia-Lopez.

"I did not start well, I lost my serve early but I found a good rhythm. I'm happy to be in the final."

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