Post-final Interview | Final Main Draw | Results
LONDON – After two weeks, seven matches and 182 aces, Kevin Anderson's historic run at the 2018 Wimbledon Championships came to an end Sunday morning. From London to Champaign, Illini Nation rallied around Anderson as three-time Wimbledon champion and No. 12 seed Nadal Djokovic topped the former Illini All-American 2-6, 2-6, 6-7(3). This marks Anderson's second runner-up finish at a Grand Slam finals, his first being at the 2017 US Open.
Tournament Notes
- Anderson is the first South African since Brian Norton to advance to a Wimbledon Final, marking 97 years since this achievement.
- The former Illini has now reached two grand slam finals, becoming the second South African to reach multiple grand slam finals.
- The former Illini All-American is the first college player since 1996 when Michigan Wolverine Malivai Washington to make a Wimbledon Finals.
- After his Wimbledon runner-up finish, Anderson will climb to a career-best No. 5 in the ATP rankings.
- The South African native is the first player to break Roger Federer's serve since Czech player, Tomas Berdych, in last year's Wimbledon semifinals.
- This year's matchup against John Isner marked the longest semifinals in Wimbledon history since 1877 at 6 hours, 36 minutes.
- Holds the record for the most games played at a single championship with 332 at the 2018 Wimbledon Championships.
- Anderson and Isner participated in the first Grand Slam and Wimbledon semifinal between two college players since Michigan Wolverine Malivai Washington defeated Northwestern Wildcat Todd Martin in 1996.
- Anderson's semifinals win marked his 300th tour-level victory of his career.
- Scored his first victories against Roger Federer and Gael Monfils.
- Anderson hit 182 aces during his seven-match run at Wimbledon.
In the News
Chicago Tribune – 8 things to know about Kevin Anderson, Illinois alumnus who lost Wimbledon final
ESPN – Anderson-Isner marathon more validation to implement final-set tiebreaker
For The Win – Kevin Anderson gave classy interview after winning 6-hour Wimbledon semifinal
Wimbledon – Anderson humble, compassionate and tired
Chicago Sun Times – Ex-Illini star Anderson advances to Wimbledon Final after longest match ever
New York Times – Wimbledon: After Many, Many Hours, Kevin Anderson Beats John Isner in the Semifinals
ITA Tennis – Anderson And Isner Put College Tennis In Spotlight With Epic Wimbledon Semifinal
ESPN – On to the next one: Kevin Anderson staying cool after Roger Federer upset
Road to Finals
Round 1 | def. Norbert Gombos (SVK) 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
Round 2 | def. Andreas Seppi (ITA) 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4
Round 3 | def. No. 25 Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-3, 7-5, 7-5
Round 4 | def. Gael Monfils (FRA) 7-6(4), 7-6(2), 5-7, 7-6(4)
Quarterfinals | def. No. 1 Roger Federer (SUI) 2-6, 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-4, 13-11
Semifinals | def. No. 9 John Isner (USA) 7-6(6), 6-7(5), 6-7(9), 6-4, 26-24
Final | fell to No. 12 Novak Djokovic (SRB), 2-6, 2-6, 6-7(3)
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