March 4, 2012
Results
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. - Former Illini All-American Kevin Anderson captured the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships crown Sunday with a 6-4, 7-6(2) win over qualifier Marinko Matosevic. The win marked the second career ATP title for Anderson, who is ranked 30th in the world and was seeded seventh in the tournament.
"I know there are a lot of hard workers out there who are playing professional tennis, but Kevin Anderson has to be at the top of that list," Illini head coach Brad Dancer said. "Everything he accomplishes reflects his work ethic, time and energy that he puts into being the absolute best he can be."
Anderson took down fourth-seeded and 31st-ranked Andy Roddick, 2-6, 7-6(9), 6-4, in the quarterfinals on Friday and knocked off top-seeded and 11th-ranked John Isner, 7-5, 7-6(4), in the semifinals on Saturday to advance to the title match.
"He is a tremendous competitor and never backs down from any challenges," Dancer said. "This week, he had to beat two of the best Americans on American soil in front of partisan crowds, but he is a guy who tends to rise to the occasion in those circumstances. I'm happy for him, proud of him and really thrilled with all he is doing with his game."
