Kevin Anderson has kicked-off this year’s ATP Finals with a 6-2, 7-6(10), win over Dominic Thiem in the opening match of the Lleyton Hewitt Group.
Anderson, who was runner-up to Novak Djokovic earlier in the season at Wimbledon, is the first player from his country to contest the tournament for 23 years. The last was Wayne Ferrier in 1995. Flying the South African flag, he managed to topple his rival with the help of 30 winners to 22 unforced errors, as well as producing 13 aces.
“It’s just fantastic to be here. I’ve worked so long to get here. I’ve been watching this tournament since I was a little kid, so to come out here play in such an amazing atmosphere, play really good tennis and get the win. I couldn’t be happier right now.” Anderson said during his on-court interview.
Prior to today’s clash at the year-end finale, Anderson once dominated Thiem in their head-to-head. Boasting a commanding 6-0 lead. That stronghold held by the South African has been weakened this year following a double triumph by Thiem, who is seven years younger than him. The 25-year-old Austrian was victorious on clay in Madrid and at the US Open.
Despite Thiem’s credentials, it was the more experienced Anderson who started the stronger of the two. Moving easier around the court and coming towards the net on numerous occasions to apply pressure onto his opponent. Four games into the match, Anderson capitalized on a tentative Thiem service game. Breaking for a 3-1 lead after the Austrian hit a forehand beyond the baseline when facing a break point. From then on, Anderson continued to be the frontrunner in the opening set against Thiem, who appeared to be lackluster at times. Sealing the 6-3 lead with the help of a 147 mph serve followed by another Thiem unforced error.
Unlike the opener, Anderson’s quest for his maiden win at the O2 Arena faced tougher resistance. An injection into the intensity of Thiem’s shot-making placed both players on even ground during the duration of the second set. Paving way for what turned out to be a pulsating 22-point tiebreaker that lasted almost 20 minutes. Both players had their chances with Thiem seeing two set points come and go. Meanwhile, Anderson failed to convert three match point opportunities before triumphing on his fourth. Firing a second service ace out wide to top the group.
“It has been an amazing week so far and I hope to be here throughout the week,” Anderson commented about his title chances.
Regardless of his defeat, Thiem is still has a chance of progressing beyond the round robin stage. Something he has failed to do in his two previous appearances. The Austrian will play Kei Nishikori and Roger Federer later in the week.
“I didn’t have a good start. At the beginning, I was trying to return a similar position than in New York. It was not working out at all.” Thiem reflected during his press conference.
“I mean, I had no chance basically in the first set to break him. I was in trouble almost every service game. So the first set was not really good.”
Sunday’s win is Anderson’s 46th of 2018. Making it the join best of his career along with 2015.
