ATP New York: Kyle Edmund wins much-needed second ATP title over Andreas Seppi

Surviving a tough challenge from Soonwoo Kwon in the quarters, Kyle Edmund brought his best tennis in the last two matches at New York Open to become the third champion after Kevin Anderson and Reilly Opelka. Kyle claimed the second ATP title (Antwerp 2018, also indoor) following a 7-5, 6-1 triumph over Andreas Seppi in an hour and 21 minutes, taking the upper hand in the closing moments of the opening set and dominating in the second to seal the deal in style. Reaching the semi-final of the Australian Open and almost cracking the top-10 in the rest of the year, Kyle lost the ground completely in 2019 to barely stay inside the top-70, seeking better run in the season ahead of us and already making it much better with this crown in New York. The Briton produced fury from the initial shot, dropping eight points in ten service games and never facing a break point, challenging the Italian veteran to repeat the same if he wanted to stay in contention.

Andreas was there to fight in the opening ten games before dropping eight of the last nine games, unable to follow the rival's pace and failing to win the first title since 2012. Struggling on the second serve in the latter part of the clash, Seppi got broken three times and propelled Edmund towards the title that should bring him the boost ahead of Indian Wells and Miami. Finding his return in the best possible moment, the Briton landed a backhand down the line winner at 6-5 to seal the opener and gain momentum ahead of set number two where he never looked back after an early break at 15.

Seppi survived numerous break chances in the fourth game but there was no way back for him when Kyle broke him again to move 5-1 up, serving for the title in the next game. Still untroubled on serve, Kyle delivered a hold that he needed to seal the deal and celebrate his second ATP crown, the first after 16 months and the one that has already make the season much better in comparison to the previous one.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2UYLOeW