Kevin Anderson prevails over John Isner to cruise into the final – Delray Beach International 2012
Seventh seed Kevin Anderson continued to make upsets, as he ousted the top seed John Isner in straight sets 7-5, 7-6(4) in the semi-final at the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships in Florida, USA on Saturday.
Both players served splendidly, not giving each other any break opportunity in the opening 10 games of the match to take the score to 5-5. The South African, Anderson, struck in the eleventh and lost only one point in the next
to clinch the set 7-5.
Anderson and Isner held their serves throughout the second set. Both of them got one break chance in the first two games but could not capitalise. They squared off the score at 6-6 and forced a tie-breaker. The South African raced
to a 3-0 lead and maintained it till the end to win 7-4.
The 6ft 8in tall was exceptional on the serves, pounding 16 aces. The Johannesburg, South Africa resident won an impressive 39 of the 45 first delivery points. Anderson escaped the only break threat he came across in the match.
It took the South African an hour and 36 minutes to upset his opponent in a tight contest.
Commenting on the match, a relieved Anderson said, "Today I thought I served incredibly better than my other matches. I knew I had to. I think maybe just playing against somebody who serves and volleys like John forced me to pick
up my serving and I felt I matched him in that category."
The South African is slated to play qualifier Marinko Matosevic in the title match. The Australian toppled Dudi Sela of Israel in three sets 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(7) in the semi-final.
Talking about his opponent in the final, Anderson said, "He’s played some big servers, so I’m definitely going to have to be on my game tomorrow. I’m feeling good. I’m just excited, that’s why you play. Each week you don’t always
get the opportunity to go all the way through, so I’m just really excited to get that opportunity this week."
This will be the first meeting between the South African and Matosevic.
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