Anderson Ignites Illini Nation
September 11, 2017 | Men's Tennis
Kevin Anderson's Post Match Interview | Brad Dancer Monday Press Conference
FLUSHING MEADOWS, N.Y. - After two weeks, seven matches and 124 aces, Kevin Anderson's historic run at the 2017 US Open came to an end on Sunday night. The former Illini All-American reached the men's singles final against Rafael Nadal, where the world No. 1 topped Anderson, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4. I-L-L chants roared through Arthur Ashe Stadium as Illini Nation rallied around Anderson from Flushing Meadows to Champaign and all over the world.
It's been an incredible 2 weeks. This is a memory I will never forget & I look forward to making more! Thanks @usopen... see you next year ?? pic.twitter.com/7PmXVEoIE5
— Kevin Anderson (@KAndersonATP) September 11, 2017
Tournament Notes
- Anderson reached his first Grand Slam singles final in his professional career.
- The Illini is the first player in program history to earn a berth in a Grand Slam singles final.
- Anderson is the first South African to reach the US Open final in the Open Era.
- The Johannesburg, South Africa, native is the first player with college ties to reach a Grand Slam singles final since Todd Martin (Northwestern 1989-90) in the 1999 US Open.
- Kevin is the lowest-seeded player in US Open history to reach the singles final. Anderson is the sixth man in the Open Era to reach the US Open singles final from outside the Top 16 seeds.
- Anderson (6'8") is the tallest finalist in Grand Slam history.
- Anderson hit 124 aces during his seven-match run at the US Open, the most of any player in the draw.
Read All About It
ESPN - Is Kevin Anderson setting a blueprint for future pro players?
ESPN - Kevin Anderson's US Open loss a minor setback in the greater picture
Chicago Sun Times - U.S. Open finalist Kevin Anderson feeling the love from fellow Illini
US Open - Anderson born to compete, lives to play
ITA Tennis - Former Illini Kevin Anderson a win away from first grand slam title
New York Times - US Open shows one road to the top goes through college
Road to the Final
Round 1 | def. J.C. Aragone 6-3, 6-3, 6-1
Round 2 | def. Ernests Gulbis 6-3, 7-5, 6-4
Round 3 | def. Borna Coric 6-4, 6-3, 6-2
Round 4 | def. Paolo Lorenzi 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-4
Quarter-finals | def. Sam Querrey 7-6(5), 6-7(9), 6-3, 7-6(7)
Semi-finals | def. Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4
Final | lost to Rafael Nadal, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4
Social Support
Go Illini #illinois pic.twitter.com/7ibjp4p65o
— Craig Tiley (@CraigTiley) September 10, 2017
Congrats to @KAndersonATP for his hard work today. He's made Illinois history, and we are so very proud. I-L-L??????
— Net Nuts (@Illini_NetNuts) September 10, 2017
Congrats @KAndersonATP, no one deserves it more!!
— Evan Zeder (@EvanZeder) September 10, 2017
To such a great mentor to myself and my team, you have made us all so proud of your efforts. Congrats to @KAndersonATP for giving us belief. pic.twitter.com/HzlJspTA1l
— Aron Hiltzik (@AronHiltzik) September 10, 2017
#Illini tennis has come a long way. From cafeteria food & van rides through the Midwest to the red carpet in the Flushing Meadows. #USOpen. https://t.co/Ks8A6fK6Vc
— Amer Delic (@AmerDelic) September 11, 2017
Watching the US Open and hearing "I-L-L" "I-N-I" chants. ???? is one of the strongest fan bases in the country. Let's go @KAndersonATP #illini
— Michael Finke (@Finke_Michael) September 10, 2017
Thank you @kandersonatp for being an amazing ambassador for @illinimtennis. What an incredible… https://t.co/GR4J6awgFI
— Jared Hiltzik (@JaredHiltzik) September 10, 2017
Good luck @KAndersonATP !!???????????????? @CA_Schwartzel #USOpenfinals pic.twitter.com/SQaiDffYsl
— Louis Oosthuizen (@Louis57TM) September 10, 2017
What a run! Congratulations to @usopen finalist Kevin Anderson on a phenomenal tournament.
— ITA Tennis (@ITA_Tennis) September 10, 2017
RT to congratulate the former college star! pic.twitter.com/B6bGE3cZMv
Let's go @KAndersonATP! ???????? #ILLINI https://t.co/fpNbT3mYYT
— Josh Whitman (@IlliniAD) September 10, 2017
Can't wait to see this. Nothing to lose for former #Illini against an all-time great https://t.co/TGvU5aiCwR
— Jeremy Werner (@JWernerScout) September 10, 2017
Alumnus Kevin Anderson will compete in the final of the #USOpen.
— Univ. of Illinois (@Illinois_Alma) September 10, 2017
???? I-L-L!!! ???? https://t.co/W10U0h7OUj
Proudly wearing the shield today. Truly inspiring to watch the work @KAndersonATP has put in for this moment. pic.twitter.com/vkNl0uuTx8
— Mike Cation (@MikeCTennis) September 10, 2017
Make sure you watch this! @IlliniMTennis alum @KAndersonATP goes for his first ever Grand Slam, and the first ever in #Illini History #ILL https://t.co/5xgIG052PY
— Illini Pride (@IlliniPride) September 10, 2017
