Kevin Anderson clears first hurdle at Australian Open
Although Kevin Andersen had to work hard to avoid another shock first round elimination – like last year – at the Australian Open, he managed to enter the second round with a victory in Melbourne.
The fifth seed Kevin Anderson from South Africa battled past France’s Adrian Mannarino in four sets to reach the second round on the first day of play at the 2019 Australian Open.
Anderson saw off the tricky Frenchman 6-3 5-7 6-2 6-1 in two hours and 53 minutes to progress at Melbourne Park.
Anderson, who has reached the fourth round at Melbourne Park on three occasions, served 14 aces but made 38 unforced errors in his opening match.
Big-serving Anderson has lost in the first round in the opening Grand Slam of the year six times, including to Britain’s Kyle Edmund last year. It was the South African’s first win in Melbourne since 2015.
“It was really hot out here. I thought we were going to hit the heat rule, but no luck. I was up a break in that second set and just let it get away a little bit. I was happy with the way I was able to reset,” said Anderson afterwards.
The 32-year-old Anderson has been in fine form so far this year winning his sixth ATP title at Pune in India, defeating Ivo Karlovic in the final, prior to the Australian Open.
“Every day I push myself to get better and better. You’ve got to come out here and win the match. It is a difficult challenge but that is what it is all about,” said Anderson, a runner-up to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon last year.
The South African will next face 2018 Next Gen ATP Finals qualifier Frances Tiafoe, who edged out Indian qualifier Prajnesh Gunneswaran. Anderson and Tiafoe clashed three times last season.
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