Anderson salutes fighter Somdev

Updated on: 07 February,2011 09:07 AM IST |
AFP |

A dream came true for 2.03-metre South African tennis 'skyscraper' Kevin Anderson in his home town last night when he won an ATP World Tour title for the first time

A dream came true for 2.03-metre South African tennis 'skyscraper' Kevin Anderson in his home town last night when he won an ATP World Tour title for the first time.

Anderson overcame a nervous start and losing the first set to wear down dogged Indian Somdev Devvarman 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in a rain-interrupted South African Open final at the Montecasino entertainment centre. "The rain delay helped ease my nerves. I knew it was crucial to hold my own serve and get a crack at his. Somdev is a great player because it is tough playing South Africans here with the altitude and crowd in their favour."

"Congratulations to Kevin who has beaten me a few times now. I know the crowd were backing him, but they also applauded me and I felt at home," he said.

Although Devvarman had made a habit of defeating other South Africans at Davis Cup and tournament level, he fell to Anderson in straight sets when they last met during the 2010 US Open.

Success for the World No 59, Anderson ended a long wait by South Africa for an ATP triumph with the last coming in Tokyo six years ago.

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