Anderson Crashes Querrey's Party In Late-Night Thriller

A first US Open semi-final berth on the line; for Kevin Anderson, a maiden Grand Slam semi-final spot up for grabs. On Tuesday, it was the South African who made the breakthrough with a 7-6(5), 6-7(9), 6-3, 7-6(7) triumph over the American.

What a resurregence it has been. An injury-ravaged 2016 saw the 31 year old start the season at No. 80 in the Emirates ATP Rankings. His frustrations would not end there with hip, leg and right elbow problems stunting him at various points of the season. 

Querrey led the pair’s FedEx ATP Head2Head series 8-6, with contests split 1-1 in 2017. He won a five-set thriller to stop the South African in the fourth round at Wimbledon before Anderson exacted revenge in a routine victory at the Coupe Rogers leading in. In their 14 prior matches, Querrey led 7-6 in tie-breaks played between the pair. After Tuesday’s showdown, that would stand at 8-8.

As the first South African since Wayne Ferreira (Australian Open 2003) through to a Grand Slam semi-final, the No. 28 seed will next take on No.12 seed Pablo Carreno Busta. One of them will reach their first Grand Slam final.

On Tuesday, in a battle between two of the biggest servers on tour there were no breaks through the first set, with the pair entering all-too-familiar tie-break territory. Trailing 2/5, Anderson reeled off five straight points to hold a one-set advantage.

With a tie-break again required to separate the two in set No. 2, it was Querrey who surged to the early lead. Staring down five set points at 1/6, Anderson was not about to go quietly, though. He survived three set points before saving a fourth with his 12th ace. 

Pressure was beginning to weigh on the home hope. A first double fault of the match drew scores level at 6/6 and the pair traded set-point opportunities before Querrey finally went on to lock it up on his eighth opportunity.

Casting aside the disappointment, Anderson maintained his energy to break for 3-2 in the third. A set point missed on the American’s serve mattered little as he edged to a two-sets-to-one lead with a monster forehand winner down the line.

The 6’6” Querrey and 6’8” Anderson were meeting in the tallest Grand Slam quarter-final, semi-final or final of the Open Era. And for the American, a second straight Grand Slam semi-final beckoned after his Wimbledon run.

If he was to pull off a repeat, he would again have to get past Anderson in five sets to get there. After nearly 3.5 hours and closing in on 2am, it proved a bridge too far.

A 22nd ace would bring up match point for Anderson at 6/5 in the fourth-set tie-break. Querrey stayed alive and held a set point of his own before the South African would clinch the semi-final berth on a Querrey forehand long.