Kevin Anderson wins the South African Open
The local boy Kevin Anderson beat India’s Somdev Devvarman in the final of the South African Open. The African beat his opponent 4-6, 6-3 and 6-2 to bag his first ATP title at Johannesburg this Sunday.
After a 2 hours 19 minutes thriller, Anderson defeated his rival to become the first home winner at the Open since 1989. Despite losing the first set, the African made a strong come back in the match and claimed the next two sets to seal his victory. It
is the third time in the same week that Anderson has managed to turn the tables in a match after losing the first set. He has become the first South African after Wesley Moodie to win a top-tier ATP event.
The 24-year-old was very excited on his first major triumph. “There are so many emotions running around right now,” said Anderson. “I’m just really thrilled and to win it here in South Africa, there’s no better feeling.”
Anderson belted 11 aces to the opponent’s court while Devvarman merely responded with only 7 of them. The South African number 1 held his nerve in the intense pressure situations of the match and converted most of the opportunities to his advantage. His
first serve percentage was also better than his opponent.
The other finalist, Devvarman was also seeking his first career ATP title. He has beaten three other South Africans during his journey to the final, but was not good enough to come out as the winner this time. He took the advantage of Anderson’s sluggish
start and had an early break of 2-1 in the opener. His clattering forehand strokes angling across the court and brilliant service returns pressurized his opponent right from the start of the match.
The Indian’s momentum was hampered twice in the first set by rain breaks. His competitor bounced back with a break and levelled the scores at 3-3. The resilient Indian rose to the occasion and converted another breaking opportunity to wrap up the first set
at 6-4.
The fourth seed Anderson got his revenge in the second set and outplayed Devvarman with his strong serve. With a single break in the set, the African put the set to his name at 6-3.
Anderson kept his momentum in the decider and broke the Indian’s serve to lead the set 3-2. He saved three break points in the very next game and held his serve. Another break point towards the end of the match sealed a win for the African. Anderson had
a total of ten breaking opportunities throughout the final and converted four of them. His rival merely had two breaks against him.
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