Victories and defeats in 2014 SA tennis (video)
There have been some closely fought contests in South African tennis in 2014.
FILE PICTURE: South Africa’s Kevin Anderson. PHOTO: AFP.
These are some of the narrowest victories and defeats that kept fans on the edge of their seats:
February – National men’s No 1 Kevin Anderson is edged into second place by Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov at the Mexican Open.
Anderson, aiming for his third career title, fights back in the second set but ultimately settles for a 6-7, 6-3, 6-7 defeat in the final.
April – Level at 2-2 against Lithuania in a Euro-Africa Group II quarter-final clash, the SA Davis Cup team fall in a 3-2 defeat in Centurion.
In the deciding rubber, Ruan Roelofse wins the second set to keep SA hopes alive, but Laurynas Grigelis retains his composure to win 7-6, 3-6, 7-6, 6-4.
April – In their first tie of the Euro-Africa Group II tournament in Siauliai, the SA Fed Cup team are placed on the back foot in the early stages.
With the scores tied at 1-1, Natalie Grandin and Chanel Simmonds go down 6-3, 6-7, 4-6 to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the deciding doubles rubber.
The South Africans go on to lose two of their four ties to miss out on promotion.
August – Up against world No 8 Dimitrov, Anderson again falls narrowly short in the Canada Masters quarter-finals.
The South African wins the first set but the Bulgarian claws his was back as Anderson goes down 7-5, 5-7, 6-7.
October – After losing some hard-fought matches during the season, Anderson comes out on top in a third-round clash against world No 4 Stan Wawrinka at the Paris Masters.
He secures a 6-7, 7-5, 7-6 victory to reach the quarter-finals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBrZP1QvSEA&app=desktop
