First-time grand slam finalist Kevin Anderson said he felt relaxed going into Sunday’s U.S. Open decider but was overwhelmed by the “conundrum” of Rafa Nadal’s ruthless all-court game.
NEW YORK (Reuters) – First-time grand slam finalist Kevin Anderson said he felt relaxed going into Sunday&rsquo-s U.S. Open decider but was overwhelmed by the &ldquo-conundrum&rdquo- of Rafa Nadal&rsquo-s ruthless all-court game.
Although the same age as the 31-year-old Spaniard, the late-blooming South African faced an opponent contesting his 23rd grand slam final and fourth at Flushing Meadows.
&ldquo-I think the nerves that I was maybe going to feel, you know, I felt pretty good out there,&rdquo- Anderson told reporters after his 6-3 6-3 6-4 defeat.
&rdquo-I thought I was hitting the ball very well.
&ldquo-It was more the conundrum of playing Rafa as opposed to being in my first final.&rdquo-
World number one Nadal played near-perfect tennis on Sunday, committing just 11 unforced errors, never facing a break point and winning all 16 points at the net, including a beautifully timed volley to clinch the title.
That level of performance was too much for Anderson, who relies heavily on a huge serve that typically wins bunches of free points off lesser opponents.
Not so against Nadal, a human backboard who pressured the South African&rsquo-s serve from the outset and broke him four times from his nine opportunities.
&ldquo-Rafa made it very difficult for me tonight,&rdquo- he said of the Mallorcan, who celebrated his third title at Flushing Meadows.
&ldquo-I felt he got a lot of returns back. He varied his return position quite a lot. You know, one of the best defenders in our sport.&rdquo-
Federer and Nadal each won two of the four grand slam titles this year, with the 36-year-old Swiss taking the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
Anderson said that if 16-times grand slam champion Nadal could stay healthy, he would have a shot of catching Roger Federer&rsquo-s record of 19.
&ldquo-It&rsquo-s very close right now,&rdquo- he said.
&rdquo-Staying healthy would be the biggest obstacle to that. Roger is obviously a few years older than him, but he&rsquo-s had an amazing year.
&ldquo-I guess time will tell on that.&rdquo-
Anderson did not expect the competition in the men&rsquo-s game to let up in 2018, when &lsquo-Big Four&rsquo- players Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are expected to return from injury.
&ldquo-I expect them to be healthy and ready to go in a similar fashion that Rafa and Roger were this year,&rdquo- he said.
&ldquo-I think it will be very interesting next year.&rdquo-
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