MADRID: Kevin Anderson has broken new ground on the tour following his 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-3, win over Dusan Lajovic at the Madrid Open.
Despite being the favourite going into the match, the South African sixth seed has never progressed to the last four of a Masters 1000 event. Falling in the quarter-finals on ten previous occasions. He managed to break his jinx against Lajovic, who knocked out Juan Martin del Potro on Thursday. Hitting a total of 35 winners against 29 unforced errors.
“I think I did a good job because I didn’t really think of it too much. I had lots of reason to think about it. (missing the semifinals in) Indian Wells and Miami, not that long ago.” Anderson said about reaching the last four in Madrid.
“I knew the opportunity existed today. I thought first step was putting myself in that position. I was able to do that. Going out there today, I just really focused on what I needed to do. Thinking too much about previous results is not going to do me too much good, outside of the fact that, sure, there was motivation to get through.
Capitalizing on Madrid’s high altitude, Anderson managed to keep within contention throughout the match with the help of some blistering serving. Aided by a total of 15 aces. During the first set, the South African grabbed his first break after a Lajovic forehand slammed into a net to move him to a 4-2 lead. Despite securing a lead, Anderson lost the advantage immediately after an error-stricken service game cost him. Despite the setback, the sixth seed regained control in the tiebreaker against a frustrated Lajovic. Who disputed some of the calls made by the officials. Anderson then moved to four set points with the help of a forehand cross-court shot, before converting his second thanks to an error from his rival.
Lajovic’s resurgence started midway through the middle set. Once again a lackluster Anderson service game cost him dearly as a double fault gifted his opponent the break. This time round the South African was unable to find a way to fight back against some spirited play from his opponent. Enabling the world No.95 to take the proceedings into a decider with the help of back-to-back mistakes from Anderson.
Dodging the shock upset, the 31-year-old managed to regain his composure to close out the milestone win. Breaking to love in the decider on his way to the finish line. The win was then eventually sealed on the 132nd minute of the match when Lajovic failed to get a return back over the net.
“I’ve really enjoyed playing on the clay. Obviously the movement’s a little bit tougher. But I think a lot of the surface actually suits my game nicely. The ball usually kicks up a little bit more. I think it helps my serve, gives me a little bit more time from the baseline.” The world No.8 explained.
Describing his preparations heading into the clay court swing as ‘good,’ Anderson insisted that he has trained no different to playing on any other surface. So far, only one of his 16 ATP finals has been contested on the dirt. That was back in 2013 when he lost in the final of Grand Prix Hassan to II to Tommy Robredo.
“For the most part I worked really hard on many aspects of my game: trying to impose myself more, have more trust in my game.” Said Anderson.
“I’ve worked really hard on the mental side of my game. Whether it was on the hard courts so far this year or coming onto the clay, I feel like it’s been a constant theme for me.”
In the semifinals, the US Open runner-up will take on either Rafael Nadal or Dominic Thiem. In the head-to-head, Anderson trails Nadal 0-5, but leads Thiem 6-0.
