By Scoop Malinowski | Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Elite tennis requires short-term memory loss.

Andreas Seppi relied on total recall to avenge one of his most painful defeats.

Watch: Federer's Winning Return

The 32-year-old Italian fought off a match point roaring back from a two-set deficit to stun Australian No. 1 Nick Kyrgios, 1-6, 6-7 (1), 6-4, 6-2, 10-8 and surge into the Australian Open third round for the fourth time in the last five years.

"I remember the match from two years ago. (It) was pretty much the same," Seppi said of his rematch with Kyrgios. "So I knew what's going to happen, what's going to be in the court. So, of course, it's always very, very tough to play in a crowd like this or stadium like this. But was great atmosphere. Yeah, I always enjoy playing on these big courts."

Seppi successfully turned the tables on Kyrgios two years after the then Aussie teenager rallied from two sets down to defeat the veteran Italian, 5-7, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5), 8-6, and become the first Aussie man to reach the last eight at his home Slam since 2005. 

Recalling that match empowered Seppi to a spirited comeback.

"I said myself, I mean, why not?" Seppi said. "Two years ago I was up two sets to love and he came back. I thought maybe I could also do it today. I was not worried about two sets to love down, I have to say."

Several of Seppi's most emotional moments have come Down Under, including his upset of Roger Federer two years ago that snapped the 17-time Grand Slam champion's run of 11 straight Melbourne semifinals.

Seppi will face 80th-ranked Belgian veteran Steve Darcis for a fourth-round spot against either 2014 Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka or Viktor Troicki.

In this Biofile interview, Seppi discusses his tennis hero, greatest win, his most embarassing moment and what he loves most about tennis.

Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 165 pounds.

Born: Feb 21, 1984 in Bolzano, Italy.

First Tennis Memory: As a kid I remember I was always going to play football. Actually, there were tennis courts nearby where I always saw somebody playing there. And every day I stopped there to watch them. So I think that’s why I started to play.

Tennis Inspirations: Actually, nobody from my family was playing so I was actually the first one playing from my family. No one to look up to. My idol growing up was Yevgeny Kafelnikov, especially because of his backhand. He had a very nice backhand and I was always struggling when I grew up. I was always looking up to him.

First Famous Player You Met Or Encountered: It was Ivan Ljubicic. I was like fourteen maybe. He was the first who I was practicing with. Because we went to Monaco and he was practicing there—he had an Italian coach Riccardo Piatti—my coach was a good friend of him. So I think he was the first one I met.

Greatest Career Moment: I think winning a title is always something special. And of course the win against (Roger) Federer at the Australian Open 2014. That was a great memory for me, sorry, 2015 [smiles]. And maybe one of my first Davis Cups when I beat (Juan Carlos) Ferrero on clay in Italy from two sets to love down. And I was like 22 so it was for sure a great memory.



Strangest Match: Actually, once I forgot to turn off my phone and it started ringing during a point. And I was complaining. I was like, What the f*** is going on with the phone?! And it was my phone in the bag [smiles]. So it was a little bit embarrassing. (Did this happen on ATP Tour?) Challenger. I don’t remember if it was Italy or in Germany.

Funniest Player(s) Encountered: Yeah, maybe (Fabio) Fognini [smiles].

Why Do You Love Playing Tennis: Yeah, of course it’s a one on one sport. You always have to be 100 percent to compete. And it’s always every match is a different challenge and every week different places so we’re learning a lot. So I really enjoy it. But I’m getting a little bit older so it’s getting tougher to travel. Of course, being in different places and meeting new people, especially on the court and having every day big challenges—something I’m always looking forward to.

Last Book Read: I’m still reading one—it’s how to handle a good relationship. I was married last year so I’m reading a lot of books about relationships.



Current Car: Audi A5.

People Qualities Most Admired: They have to be honest. And very easy to talk to. Easy going. I always like to talk about different things. Yeah, I think that’s the most important thing.

A long-time journalist and nationally-ranked USTA player, author Scoop Malinowski interviewed dozens of John McEnroe's former rivals and friends for his fifth booth, Facing McEnroe. To order Facing McEnroe, which retails for $9.99 or for more information on the book, please visit this Facing McEnroe link.