Rafael Nadal defeated Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in Sunday's US Open final, needing two hours and 27 minutes to claim his third title at Flushing Meadows. With the roof open on Arthur Ashe Stadium, top-seeded Nadal notched his 16th major crown. Here is how the final unfolded... FIRST SET - Nadal 6-3 Anderson had claimed just one set in four previous meetings against Nadal, but the 31 year old is a much different player than he was in those encounters. Playing more aggressive tennis throughout the fortnight, he looked to pummel his forehand through Nadal's defences and maintain a high first-serve percentage. Relying on his superior agility from the back of the court, Nadal conjured a pair of break...
Kevin Anderson talks about reaching his first major final at the Us Open. Video courtesy US Open. Visit usopen.org for more video. Video not available in USA.
The US Open championship on Sunday at Arthur Ashe Stadium matches World No. 1 Rafael Nadal against No. 28 seed Kevin Anderson, who is making his Grand Slam final debut. Nadal has won the four previous meetings (9-1 in sets), including a third round match in Barcelona in April. In their lone Grand Slam meeting, Nadal won 75 61 64 in the Round of 16 at the 2015 Australian Open. The champion will be the fifth straight Grand Slam winner 30 & over going back to last year’s US Open where Stan Wawrinka (31) captured the title. Since then, Roger Federer (35) won the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and Nadal (31) earned the Roland Garros crown. View FedEx ATP Head2Head...
Clambering into the stands – all 6’8” of him – to embrace his family and team, Kevin Anderson’s post-match celebration on Friday was more akin to that of the US Open champion than of a semi-final victor. There was more to it though than the elation of reaching a first Grand Slam final at age 31, after a four-set triumph over No. 12 seed Pablo Carreno Busta. Granted it was arguably the best shot either man would have earned at reaching a Grand Slam final. But for Anderson, it was as much about the reward of having bounced back from a frustrating two years riddled with injuries. The South African started the season at No. 80 in the Emirates ATP...
Kevin Anderson is through to his first Grand Slam final after beating Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 in the US Open semi-finals on Friday in New York. Overcome with joy, Anderson climbed up to his supporters’ box to embrace his coach, Neville Godwin, and wife, Kelsey. The 28th-seeded Anderson will face either World No. 1 Rafael Nadal or 2009 champion Juan Martin del Potro in Sunday’s championship match. [ALSO LIKE] “I really don’t know what to say right now,” admitted Anderson in his on-court interview with ESPN. “I don’t know if the team hug is appropriate for the semis, but it felt the right thing to do. “These Grand Slams are tough. We’re privileged to play with some...