Kevin Anderson has become the first South African player to reach the final of the US Open since 1965 after defeating Spanish 12th seed Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6, 7-5, 6-3,6-4, in the semifinals.
Playing in the last four of a major time for the first time in his career, the 31-year-old recovered from a tentative start to tame his rival, who didn’t drop a single set heading into their last four meeting. Anderson’s tally of 22 aces and 58 winners was enough to cement his place in this history books. Becoming the first player from his country to reach a grand slam final since John Kriek at the 1982 Australian Open.
“It’s been a long road. These grand slams are tough. We’ve been privileged enough to play with some of the best players to ever play the game.” Anderson told ESPN after the match.
The long road the Johannesburg-player refers to is one filled with injury. At the start of the year Anderson dropped to as low as 80th in the world after experiencing issues with his knee and hip. At the end of 2016 he was told there was a ‘probable’ chance that he would require hip surgery. A procedure that could take up to a year to recover from. Instead, the 31-year-old defied the odds and eventually got his long awaited reward in New York.
“This is why we work so hard. It was an unbelievably tough match for me.” He said. “I was pretty nervous starting out, I’m sure Pablo was the same.”
The encounter was one for the record books. Two first time semifinalist haven’t clash in a grand slam since the 2005 French Open. It was evident that nerves would become a factor in the match and it was Anderson who was first to buckle. Despite leading their head-to-head 2-0, the error-stricken South African struggled to break down a relentless Carreno Busta early on.
Midway through the opening set, a nightmare service game from the 28th seed secured the breakthrough Carreno Busta sought. A double fault followed by a duo of forehand errors from Anderson enable the Spaniard to break for a 4-3 lead. In control of proceedings, nerves didn’t appear to trouble a determined Carreno Busta, who sealed the 6-3 lead with the help of a speedy unreturned serve out wide. Prompting a mighty roar from him.
Seeking redemption for his lacklustre start to the match, which featured 18 unforced errors in the opening set, Anderson relaxed more in the match. Spurring himself on with numerous outbursts of ‘Come On,’ he battled to turn his fortunes around. Exchanging breaks during the early stages of the season set, his tennis soon frustrated Carreno Busta. A double fault by the Spaniard at 5-6 rewarded Anderson a golden chance to get back into the match by level at a set apiece. It was an opportunity sized as the 28th seed drew level with the help of a double-handed backhand winner.
Anderson’s comeback resulted in his opponent rapidly fading on the Arthur Ashe stadium. The following two sets consisted of him pilling on the pressure without facing a single break point as his opponent struggled to find a solution. Carreno Busta might be the higher ranked player, but his game plan wasn’t enough to get the win he wanted. Glimmers of the Spaniards brilliance were on display, but unfortunately for him that all it was.
A game away from the biggest final of his career, Anderson’s win was far from certain. Serving for the place in the final, the first point saw Carreno Busta prevail in marathon a 38-shot rally to electrify the crowd. Still, it was not enough to derail the former top-10 player. A smash down the line elevated Anderson to match point before the milestone victory was concluded with a Carreno Busta unforced error.
In the midst of victory, people could have been forgiven for thinking he had won the entire tournament. In a somewhat unorthodox move, he went straight towards the stands to celebrate with his team. Providing his own version of Pat Cash’s memorable climb into the crowd when he won the Wimbledon title. It could have been an over the top reaction, but it was fitting to the mood. Finally the injury-stricken Anderson has got his break, nine years after his grand slam debut.
Anderson in the lowest ranked player to reach a grand slam final since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2008. Awaiting him will be either Rafael Nadal or Juan Martin del Potro. Two players he has never beaten before.
