Kevin Anderson withdraws from Monte Carlo to delay clay season
The world no. 7 Kevin Anderson was one of the most successful players on the Tour in 2018 at the age of 32, winning the career-best 47 matches and two ATP titles, the first over the ATP 250 category when he conquered Vienna. Also, the South African toppled John Isner in the semi-final of Wimbledon in one of the most extended encounters ever to reach his second Grand Slam final, losing to Novak Djokovic in straight sets but earning enough points to qualify for the ATP Finals for the first time. In London, Kevin ousted Dominic Thiem and Kei Nishikori to secure the place in the semi-final, closing the year on a high note and preparing for more of the same in 2019.
The start of the new year was very promising, edging Ivo Karlovic in the final of Pune before another disappointing result in Melbourne, bowing out in the second round when Frances Tiafoe ousted him in four sets. Struggling with an elbow injury, Anderson was forced to miss New York where he was the defending champion and also Acapulco and Indian Wells, still feeling uncomfortable on the court while serving. The South African returned in Miami and played well considering the long break, overpowering Jaume Munar, Joao Sousa and Jordan Thompson before Roger Federer swept him off from the court in the quarters 6-0, 6-4 in an hour and 25 minutes.
As was expected, Kevin has decided to delay the beginning of the clay season, skipping Monte Carlo where he scored just one win between 2011-14, missing the last five editions of the first and also the slowest Masters 1000 event on clay. Anderson should return in Estoril at the end of April, losing in the semi-final there in 2017 and the second round last year to Stefanos Tsitsipas.
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2Ggqfi9
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