MICHAEL SHERMAN
JOHANNESBURG, September 11 (ANA) – South Africa’s Kevin Anderson incredible run at the year’s final major came to an end at the hands of the brilliant Rafael Nadal, as the Spaniard won the US Open final in straight sets 6-3 6-3 6-4 in Flushing Meadows, USA, on Sunday.
The experience on the biggest stage showed for Nadal, as Anderson did not have a single break point opportunity on his opponent’s serve in the entire match. Anderson was playing in his first Grandslam final, while Nadal in contrast won his third US Open title in his 23rd Slam final.
As Anderson was bidding to become the first South African to win a singles title at the US Open, his first serve let him down on the big occasion with under 60 percent of his first serves in play throughout the match.
Anderson, the world No 32, was the lowest-ranked US Open men’s singles finalist since the inception of the ATP rankings in 1973.
The gulf in class between the two players soon became apparent, as Nadal was relentless in his pursuit of his 16th Major title. In fact, since Roger Federer won his first Wimbledon title in 2003, a startling 53 of 58 Slams have been claimed by Federer, Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka combined.
Nadal began imposing himself on the Anderson service as early as the third game of the first set, with the pair going to six deuces before the SA player wrapped up the early contest. Anderson continued to struggle on his serve while Nadal was holding easily in comparison, before the Spaniard broke to grab a 4-3 lead. Nadal had no problem in breaking Anderson’s next service game to claim the first set 6-3.
It was much the same in the second set, though the 28th-seeded Anderson played his heart out Nadal was just too good leaving his opponent wondering what he would have to do to win a point in most cases. Nadal ended up closing out the second set 6-3, as Anderson had just 36 percent of his first-serves in play in the set.
In the third set, Nadal broke the Anderson serve in the first game of the set as his victory march began to gather steam. Nadal would go on to claim the set 6-4 and seal yet another major title.
The South African started the season at No 80 in the ATP Rankings after an injury-ravaged 2016. It was his lowest mark since August 2010. Anderson reached a career-high ranking of 10th in October 2015 soon after beating Murray to reach the US Open quarterfinals.
Hip, leg and right elbow injuries have hindered much of this season, while last year, it was ankle surgery, groin, left knee and right shoulder complaints.
Coming into the encounter, Nadal had 73 world titles to just the three of Anderson. Two of his three ATP World Tour titles (Winston-Salem 2015, Delray Beach 2012) have come in the United States; his maiden title on home soil in Johannesburg in 2011. – African News Agency (ANA)
