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.
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
For The Win - Kevin Anderson is the fist-pumping South African giant who slid into the U.S. Open final
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
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