Home » Kevin Anderson Makes History as 1st South African to Reach US Open Final in Open Era

Kevin Anderson Makes History as 1st South African to Reach US Open Final in Open Era

Kevin Anderson became the first South African to reach the US Open final in the Open era… and his reward is a match against world No1 Rafael Nadal on Sunday in New York. (More info here about the Open era and South African tennis players.) Anderson reached the first Grand Slam final of his career […]

By Guest Contributor
03-07-18 13:31
in Fab South African Stuff

Kevin Anderson became the first South African to reach the US Open final in the Open era… and his reward is a match against world No1 Rafael Nadal on Sunday in New York. (More info here about the Open era and South African tennis players.)

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 08: Kevin Anderson of South Africa celebrates after defeating Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain in their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve during the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images for USTA)

Anderson reached the first Grand Slam final of his career after beating 12th-seeded Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4, while Nadal will play for his third US Open title.

Ranked 28th, Anderson is the lowest ranked player to make a US Open final in the Open era.

Overcome with joy, Anderson climbed up to his supporters’ box to embrace his coach, SA’s Neville Godwin, and wife, Kelsey.

‘I really don’t know what to say right now,’ admitted Anderson in his on-court interview. ‘I don’t know if the team hug is appropriate for the semis, but it felt the right thing to do.’

These Grand Slams are tough. We’re privileged to play with some of the best players to ever play the game. It’s nice some of them gave us a shot to make a run. This is why we work so hard. It was an unbelievably tough match for me.

‘It was the first time for both of us on one of the most famous stages in tennis. I really had to dig deep, I think my emotion at the end summed it up. I’m over the moon right now. I’ve given myself a shot and I’ll allow myself tonight to celebrate this win.’

It is a remarkable opportunity for Anderson, who dropped to No80 in the ATP rankings earlier this year after being forced to miss the Australian Open with a hip injury.

But his hard work and perseverance, coupled with a new aggression and more intense demeanour on the court, paid dividends over the summer as he gradually found his form.

In total this will be Nadal’s bid for a 16th Grand Slam title in what will be his fifth meeting with Anderson. He leads 4-0, with just one set lost. The Spaniard’s last hard-court title came in Doha in 2014.

‘After a couple of years of tough moments, it has been an emotional year,’ Nadal said. ‘But being back on this amazing court and in front of this amazing crowd, and having the chance to fight for this title is amazing for me.’

The South African expat tweeted after the match: ‘Incredible feeling to reach my 1st Grand Slam final. Going to soak it in tonight… then it’s time to prepare for Sunday!’

Kelsey tweeted a cute photo showing Anderson and Nadal as children, saying ‘I’m just happy I have another excuse to share this adorable photo again.’

The two tennis players first met 19 years when they were 12-years-old, at the 1998 Junior Nike Masters in Stuggart. We can’t wait for Sunday when they meet again…

Source: Sascoc.co.za

(Find out more about other South African tennis players and the US Open.)

South African fans – including professional golfer Louis Oosthuizen – were there to support Anderson: