NEW YORK – A look at the form and records of Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta and South Africa’s Kevin Anderson ahead of their semi-final encounter at the US Open on Friday night, which will start at 10pm SA time:
28th seed Kevin Anderson (age 31)
The big-serving Anderson became the first South African man or woman to reach the semi-finals at the US Open in the Open era with his gritty win over Sam Querrey.
Arguably playing the best tennis of his career, Anderson has fired 92 aces in the tournament so far and has been aggressive in his approach as he too targets his first major.
12th seed Pablo Carreno Busta (age 26)
The 26-year-old Spaniard has not dropped a set at the US Open so far and rarely been troubled apart from the clash against Canadian Denis Shapovalov.
He will face his toughest test yet in the semi-finals against Kevin Anderson, who has won on both occasions the two have played each other.
Carreno Busta, who has three career singles titles, including one in Estoril this year, is gunning for his maiden grand slam.
Pablo Carreno Busta is yet to drop a set at the US Open this year. Photo: Jason Decrow/AP
28-KEVIN ANDERSON (record in last five ATP events)
US Open: beat Sam Querrey (U.S.) 7-6(5) 6-7(9) 6-3 7-6(9) in the quarter-finals
Cincinnati: lost to Alexandr Dolgopolov (Ukraine) 6-4 7-6(6) in the first round
Montreal: lost to Alexander Zverev (Germany) 7-5 6-4 in the quarter-finals
Washington DC: lost to Alexander Zverev (Germany) 6-4 6-4 in the final
Wimbledon: lost to Sam Querrey (U.S.) 5-7 7-6(5) 6-3 6-7(11) 6-3 in the fourth round
Practice ☑️ Looking forward to getting back out on Ashe tomorrow at 4pm 😀 #usopen #semifinals #pumped pic.twitter.com/EZe3L8bg0g
— Kevin Anderson (@KAndersonATP) September 7, 2017
12-PABLO CARRENO BUSTA (record in last five ATP events)
US Open: beat Diego Schwartzman (Argentina) 6-4 6-4 6-2 in the quarter-finals
Winston-Salem: lost to Julien Benneteau (France) 7-6(5) 6-7(5) 6-3 in the second round
Cincinnati: lost to David Ferrer (Spain) 6-4 6-4 in the third round
Montreal: lost to Kevin Anderson (South Africa) 6-3 7-6(6)
Bastad: lost to Andrey Kuznetsov (Russia) 4-6 7-6(5) 3-0 retired in the second round