US Open 2017: Kevin Anderson cheekily thanks Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic for missing tournament after setting up final meeting with Rafa Nadal

Sep 09, 2017

KEVIN ANDERSON beat Pablo Carreno Busta to reach a first-ever Grand Slam final — and then thanked Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic for missing the tournament.

Tennis has been dominated by just four players in the past 15 years.

Kevin Anderson reaches first-ever Grand Slam final at age of 31

Big-hitting Kevin Anderson in action during victory over Pablo Carreno Busta

And Anderson admitted his cause was helped by two of the tennis’ ‘Big Four’ missing the slam, as he reached his maiden final at the age of 31 with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 victory.

He said: “I really don’t know what to say right now.

“I don’t know if the team hug is appropriate until the finals but it felt the right thing to do.

“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 have ever played the game and it’s nice that some of them gave us a bit of a shot to try and make a run this tournament.”

Anderson will now face Rafa Nadal in the final after the Spaniard overcame Juan Martin del Potro.