Post-final Interview | Highlights | Final Main Draw
VIENNA – Kevin Anderson's historical run continued with winning his second title of the season at the Erste Bank Open on Sunday. The ATP World Tour 500 win in Vienna marks a personal-best for Anderson as his previous five trophy wins (Johannesburg, Delray Beach, Winston-Salem and New York) came at ATP World Tour 250-level events.
No. 2 seed Anderson defeated Japan Kei Nishikori 6-3, 7-6(3), handing his opponent his ninth straight defeat in a final. Anderson's strong serve was a decisive factor to his success. The South African won 91 percent of points on his first serve, and his 13 aces raised his total for the week to 69. With two wins over Nishikori this season, the Illinois alum has reduced his head-to-head deficit against Nishikori to 4-3.
"I am thrilled for Kevin (Anderson) that he won his first ATP World Tour 500-level tournament," said head coach Brad Dancer. "It is just another milestone in his career and a great win against a quality opponent in Kei Nishikori, who has been playing well all season."
Anderson has become the first singles player from South Africa in 23 years to secure a berth at the Nitto ATP Finals in London. Another career first, Anderson will follow in the footsteps of South African great Wayne Ferreria, who went 2-1 in round-robin play at the 1995 season finale in Frankfurt, Germany.
After two hours and 26 minutes, Anderson defeated Spain's Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, advancing to his first Vienna Open finals. After dropping the second set, Anderson dominated rallies with his forehand to establish a win on his first match point. Hitting nine of his 19 aces in the opening set, the Wimbledon finalist also reduced his head-to-head deficit against Verdasco to 4-5.
During quarterfinals, Anderson was leading Croatia's Borna Coric 7-6(2), 1-2, however Coric retired during the second set due to injury. Anderson received a walkover victory in the Round of 16 when Austria's wildcard Jurgen Melzer was forced to withdraw due to the stomach flu. This also marked Melzer's retirement from professional tennis.
Anderson opened up the tournament with a hard-fought match against recent China Open champion Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia. The South African native saved a match point in a second-set tie break to force a third set. Anderson defeated Basilashvili 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3.
Anderson will finish in the year-end top 10 of the ATP Rankings for the first time. His previous-best finish to a campaign came in 2015, when he was year-end No. 12 in the ATP Rankings (46-24 match record).
Next up, Anderson will travel to Paris for the Rolex Paris Masters, the only ATP Masters 1000 tournament played indoors. Anderson will conclude the season at the Nitto ATP Finals from Nov. 11-18 in London.
In the News
ESPN – Kevin Anderson seals ATP Finals spot with Vienna Open win
ATP World Tour – Anderson Lifts Vienna Trophy to Confirm London Qualification
Yahoo! / AP – Anderson wins in Vienna; Nishikori 9th straight final defeat
ATP World Tour – Anderson Creates History with First-Time Nitto ATP Finals Qualification
Erste Bank Open – Anderson Brings Premiere Title
Tennis Channel – Anderson Wins in Vienna, Handing Nishikori Ninth Straight Final Loss
Yahoo! / AP – Kevin Anderson vs Kei Nishikori in Vienna final
ATP World Tour – Anderson Into Vienna Final, Closes on London Spot
Erste Bank Open – Favorites move into the final
ATP World Tour – Read & Watch: Kevin Saves M.P. To Boost London Bid
Erste Bank Open – Anderson Fights Matchball
Road to Victory
Round of 32Â | def. Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3
Round of 16Â | def. WC Jurgen Melzer (AUT) Walkover (ret.)
Quarterfinals | def. No. 6 Borna Coric (CRO) 7-6(2), 1-2 (ret.)
Semifinals | def. Fernando Verdasco (ESP) 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
Finals | def. No. 5 Kei Nishikori (JPN) 6-3, 7-6(3)
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