South African Anderson Takes Home Delray Beach International Tennis Title
South Africa’s Kevin Anderson took down Australian qualifier Marinko Matosevic in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6, to win the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships for his second ever career ATP title. Anderson is the first ever South African to win this tournament. He is now 2-1 in career finals after winning his first at the since defunct Johannesburg tournament.
“It’s fantastic,” said Anderson. “It’s my first title in the United States which is great. Apart from South Africa, this is my second home. Winning one in the United States is especially exciting.”
Anderson is now expected to move up to around 30th in the rankings after defeating both Andy Roddick and John Isner on his way to victory. On the other hand, Matosevic is 173rd in the rankings and had his best week of his career despite falling in the finals.
“I’m pretty tired,” Matosevic said. “I woke up feeling good even though I only had four hours slept, but when I stepped out there I felt worse than I thought. I think it was a culmination of the whole week. My energy levels were pretty low. But Kevin did what he had to do out there, making a few more balls and he served great today.”
Matosevic is also expected to jump up to 127th in the rankings and will be a career best for him. The first five games of the match were breaks prior to Anderson holding his serve to take a 4-2 lead. This lead continued and Anderson would go onto take the first set.
“I thought I got off to a good start with that break, but I just think a little bit nervous for me,” Anderson said. “I don’t know how he was feeling. I felt he was making a few more serves than me and I was making some more baseline exchanges.
