Seppi and Tursunov move to second round in Dubai

Russian defeats qualifier Lukas Lacko in opener at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Ahmed Rizvi reports.

Andreas Seppi won only his second match of 2014 in Dubai on Monday. Ali Haider / EPA

Having won just once in six previous Tour matches this year, Andreas Seppi was pleased with the way he fought back against German Florian Mayer on Monday to book his place in the second round.

Seppi, who reached a career high of No 18 in the rankings last January, lost the first set 6-4 to an opponent who has beaten the likes of Andy Murray and Mikhail Youzhny this year. The Italian, who celebrated his 30th birthday on Friday, shifted gears to win the second 6-1, but failed to keep the momentum going as Mayer cruised to a 4-1 lead in the third.

The world No 31, however, fought back once again, winning six of the final seven games to win the deciding set 7-5.

“For sure, this is an important win for me,” said Seppi, whose only other victory of this year came in the first round at the Australian Open when he knocked out home favourite Lleyton Hewitt. “Down 1-4 in the third, I was just trying to keep fighting.

“I don’t have so many matches under my belt this year, so I just tried to stay in the match and he gave me some chances to come back. I think at 4-3, I played a few good games, a little bit more aggressive.”

Russian No 8 seed Dmitry Tursunov has also moved into the second, overcoming a rusty start to down qualifier Lukas Lacko 7-5, 6-1 in the opening match on centre court.

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