US Open 2017: Kevin Anderson becomes first South African to reach semi final in open era

Kevin Anderson spoiled the American party at the US Open when the big-serving South African beat local favourite Sam Querrey 7-6(5) 6-7(9) 6-3 7-6(7) to reach his first grand slam semi-final on Tuesday.

Anderson’s win ended the US presence in the men’s draw while Sloane Stephens and Venus Williams have both qualified for the last four in the women’s draw.

The 17th-seeded Querrey can blame himself for a meltdown in the first set tiebreak, where he lost five points in a row to allow Anderson into the lead under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The 31-year-old Anderson, seeded 28th, will face Spanish 12th seed Pablo Carreno Busta for a spot in Sunday’s final.

Anderson wins the last 5 points in the tiebreaker to take the first set off Querrey!#USOpen pic.twitter.com/9oPybirDa4

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 6, 2017

“This is incredible, at this stage and playing on one of the most famous courts in the world, it feels absolutely fantastic,” said Anderson, who became the first South African player to reach the last four of the US Open since tennis turned professional in 1968. “Losing the second set was really tough but I played each point …read more