Italy's Andreas Seppi knocked out top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas with a nerve-free performance 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday at the Sydney International. The 34-year-old Italian saved six of seven break points against Greece's #NextGenATP star, and when it came time to serve for the match, Seppi didn't flinch.

"I always play my best tennis in Australia," said Seppi. "I really enjoy playing here. It’s great to be back here and in another semi-finals. It was very important to start well in the second set. I think was good to have early break so I could play a little more aggressive. It worked out in the end."

The Italian, who broke at 4-4 in the third, served out the quarter-final to love to reach his third Sydney semi-final (2013, 2016). “I always play my best tennis in Australia so I really enjoy playing here,” Seppi said.

Tsitsipas, No. 15 in the ATP Rankings, hit 15 aces but donated seven double faults to the Italian veteran, who will meet third seed Diego Schwartzman of Argentina. The World No. 19 fought past Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(1). Schwartzman, a two-time clay-court titlist, is going for his maiden tour-level hard-court crown. It will be his first FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting against Seppi.