Anderson upset by the nature of loss

Kevin Anderson in action against Rafael Nadal in their fourth round match at the Australian Open. Photo: Filip Singer

Kevin Anderson in action against Rafael Nadal in their fourth round match at the Australian Open. Photo: Filip Singer

Published Jan 26, 2015

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Melbourne - South African tennis star Kevin Anderson says his fourth round loss at the Australian Open to Rafael Nadal came down to a disappointing 12th game in the first set, which ultimately swung the match in Nadal’s favour.

“I was a little bit disappointed by how much I let that one game affect me,” Anderson said after Nadal broke the South African’s serve and won the opening set 7-5, en route to winning the match in straight sets on Sunday.

At 5-5 in the set, Nadal saved five break points, clinching the game with an ace and service winner to go ahead 6-5.

Then in the 13th game, he broke Anderson’s serve, clinching the set when the South African hit a volley awkwardly into the net.

“I felt that I started off really well. It was the kind of tennis that I need to play to be here,” Anderson said.

“I just needed to be much more consistent within that.

“Even if I got through (won) that first set, there still would have been a lot of tennis to be played.”

Seeded 14th in the tournament, Anderson was beaten in two hours and eight minutes, losing 7-5, 6-1, 6-4.

It was the third year in a row that the lanky South African had reached the round of 16, but a dominant display from Nadal means Anderson could not book a spot in the quarter-finals.

Despite bowing out before reaching the last eight of the tournament in Melbourne, Anderson said he was pleased that he managed to put himself in the position to challenge the tournament’s top seeds.

“I can still be happy that I put myself in that position.

“Last year I felt like I gave myself good opportunities. To progress, it’ll just be about winning a couple of those big matches.

“I didn’t cross that hurdle in this match against a tough opponent in Nadal but it’s definitely a goal to put myself in with those opportunities throughout the year.”

On Friday, Anderson progressed to the last-16 by beating Richard Gasquet of France.

“The match against Gasquet felt really good.

“I definitely feel like, in terms of the way I hit the ball, my throw, I have the weapons and the shots to get to the last eight or even last four.”

Sapa

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