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South Africa’s Kevin Anderson put an end to Stan Wawrinka’s perfect season as he defeated the Australian Open champion 7-6 (1) 4-6 6-1 in the fourth round of the ATP Indian Wells Masters late Wednesday afternoon.
The in-form Anderson, who entered Indian Wells at a career-high No. 18 ranking following back-to-back hard-court finals in Delray Beach and Acapulco, recorded his 150th match win and his first in four matches against Wawrinka. This was Anderson’s fifth career win against a top 10 player.
Seeded 17 Anderson needed 2 hours 19 minutes to upset third seeded Wawrinka and move into his second straight quarter finals in Indian Wells.
“My game plan coming out was to be aggressive. I played Stan a few times, the most recent in Shanghai where I lost in a close match and I knew just being quite aggressive and not giving him too much rhythm from the back was the way to go” said Anderson.
Wawrinka did not face a break point through his first two matches this past week, but lost serve four times against Anderson. The 28-year-old Swiss had forced a decisive set after battling from down an early break in the second, but then lost the opening service game of the third and was broken again at love in the fifth game.
In the quarter finals, Anderson will face four-time champion Roger Federer. The two have met once before, last year at the ATP Masters in Paris which Federer won 6-4 6-4.
The 27 year old South African knocked out another former champion, Lleyton Hewitt, in his second round opener.
Anderson said Federer would be a big a tough task but he was ready for the challenge. “Roger is going to be tough and sort of speaks for himself. There is not too much I can add from that. I have to come out and focus on Friday and just do what I have been doing. I feel like I have been playing good tennis, and I’m going to definitely continue that Friday.”
This is the third career ATP Masters 1000 quarter final berth for the Anderson (2013 ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells; 2011 ATP Masters 1000 Miami).
Neville Godwin, Anderson’s coach said he was very happy with the way his charge played. “Kev played really well! He stayed patient but yet played aggressive. Kevin served great in the third set and kept his nerve really well despite the disappointment of losing the second set.”
