Anderson stumbles as SA’s run fizzles out at French Open
Though the two-time Grand Slam finalist missed out on a spot in the last 16, Anderson indicated he was back on track following multiple injury battles.
Kevin Anderson returns the ball in his third-round match at the French Open. Picture: Getty Images
Kevin Anderson’s comeback was halted in the third round at Roland Garros, with the big-serving South African falling to Russian opponent Andrey Rublev on Saturday.
The 34-year-old Anderson had entered the tournament with a protected ranking, as he continued to build momentum after returning from an injury hiatus.
While his form was uncertain, he swept past Serbian player Laslo Dere in straight sets in the first round, before he was forced to rally in a tough five-set victory over No 22 seed Dusan Lajovic in round two.
He was unable to put up much of a fight against Rublev, however, collapsing in a 3-6 2-6 3-6 defeat to the world No 12.
Though the two-time Grand Slam finalist missed out on a spot in the last 16, Anderson nonetheless showed he was back on track following multiple injury battles, progressing to the third round of a major for only the second time in the last two seasons.
South Africa’s other French Open contestants had been eliminated earlier in the week.
Lloyd Harris was knocked out in the second round of the men’s singles competition, going down to No 7 seed Matteo Berrettini of Italy, while doubles specialist Raven Klaasen was stopped in the opening round alongside Austrian partner Oliver Marach.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic demolished Colombian lucky loser Daniel Galan on Saturday to reach the last 16 for an 11th successive year on Saturday.
World number one Djokovic swept past 153rd-ranked Galan 6-0 6-3 6-2 with his most challenging moment coming when he helped groundstaff lay more clay on the surface of Court Philippe Chatrier after rain had made it treacherous.
For Djokovic, the 2016 French Open champion who is chasing an 18th Grand Slam title, it was his 71st win in Paris.
The Serbian star took his 2020 record to 34 wins against just one loss as he continues his bid to become the first man in half a century to win all four Grand Slam titles twice.
Next up is Russian 15th seed Karen Khachanov who put out Chile’s Cristian Garin.
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