Anderson again unsuccessful in Australia
South Africa’s top tennis player, Kevin Anderson, disappointed his fans again in the Australian Open tennis tournament despite the good form in which he has been in recent months.
South African world number six Kevin Anderson crashed out in the second round of the Australian Open at the hands of American world number 39 Frances Tiafoe on Wednesday at Melbourne Park.
Meanwhile, compatriot Raven Klaasen and his New Zealand partner Michael Venus advanced to the second round of the men’s doubles.
Anderson, who reached the final at Wimbledon in 2018, took the first set 6-4 but his 20-year-old opponent fought back to take the next three 6-4; 6-4 and 7-5 to seal a place in the third round.
The South African made a good start to the match but was not quite as his best against the aggressive Tiafoe.
Anderson’s shot selections did not quite hit the spot at times as Tiafoe found his way across the court with impressive ease.
The 32-year-old Anderson, who received treatment on his right elbow after the third set, served to go up 6-5 in the fourth, but he double faulted on break point. In the following game, Tiafoe recovered from a 15/40 deficit to reach the third round at a Grand Slam for the second time (2018 Wimbledon) and first in Melbourne.
Anderson looked to be fighting back and seemed to get back into his rhythm but the American managed to break the South African in the 11th game.
It was sweet revenge for Tiafoe, who lost to Anderson three times in as many matches in 2018.
In the men’s doubles event, Klaasen and his partner Michael Venus have won their opening round doubles match at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
The South African-Kiwi pair, seeded 6th, battled back from a set down to beat American Bradley Klahn and Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin 4-6 6-4 6-3 in 2hour 2min.
Klaasen said he was happy that they got past the first hurdle.
“It is always tricky to get going in a Grand Slam and I find that the first-round match is always a tough match to play. Today was no difference. But now we look forward to a good day of practice and to make a few adjustments to hopefully play better in the second round. We look forward to the challenge and are excited to make a big push in the tournament,” said Klaasen after the match.
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