Kevin Anderson saved a match point in his 4-6 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-4) win over Frances Tiafoe at the Millenium Estoril Open.
Tiafoe saved two break points in the sixth game before breaking serve in the seventh game to claim the first set 6-4. The US player went up a break in the fifth game of the second set to take a 3-2 lead. Anderson broke straight back to draw level to 4-4. Tiafoe converted his fourth break point in the ninth game to take a 5-4 lead. Anderson broke straight back to draw level to 5-5.
Anderson hit a backhand onto the baseline to fend off a match point at 5-6 to win tie-break of the second set 8-6 and came back from 1-4 down to win the tie-break 8-6 in the tie-break.
“It was obviously a very close match. I think there were a lot of positives, a lot of really high quality tennis, especially from midway through the second until the end of the match. I was really happy with the way I played. I think even if I had lost that match, obviously it’s always tough losing, but I definitely felt I took a step in the right direction today. Getting the win is a big added bonus. It gives me another opportunity to come out in a couple days’ time. I feel like I am playing really good tennis. It’s just about getting that momentum, that self-belief back to where I want it to be. As always, I just feel like it’s so important to take it one step at a time”, said Anderson.
Anderson will face Kei Nishikori for a spot in the quarter final. Nishikori holds a 5-4 lead in his head-to-head matches against Anderson, but the South African player beat his Japanese rival in the round robin of the 2018 Nitto ATP Finals in London.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina overcame Pablo Andujar 6-3 4-6 6-1 to score his 10th match win of the season. The young Spaniard set up a match against Jeremy Chardy, who came back from one set down to beat Jaume Munar 3-6 6-3 6-4.
Portuguese qualifier Nuno Borges edged Jordan Thompson 7-6 (7-5) 6-3. Borges will face either Marin Cilic or Carlos Alcaraz.
