It’s the most unexpected grand slam semi-final in recent memory, as big-serving South African Kevin Anderson takes on Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 6am (AEST).
Anderson, coming into the final grand slam of the year holding the 28th seed has been phenomenal in his performances. Across the first five rounds, he has dropped just two sets and played dominant tennis everytime he stepped on the court.
While victories over JC Aragone, Ernests Gulbis, Borna Coric and the dangerous Paolo Lorenzi were all high quality, it was the quarter-finals here he really appeared to hit his stride.
Taking on home crowd favourite and fellow big serve Sam Querrey, he served at around the 80 per cent mark to blow the American off the court in four sets. The crowd at Arthur Ashe, who almost expected Querrey to advance to his first grand slam final were left stunned as the South African put in a pearling performance.
While he had to hold his nerve in a trio of tiebreakers, winning two of them as well as a 6-3 third set, Anderson was dominant throughout the match. He becomes the first man from the rainbow nation into a grand slam semi-final since Wayne Ferreira in 2003.
While his serve will give him a huge advantage in this semi-final, it won’t be a walk in the park. This is a breakout tournament for 12th seed Carreno Busta, who is yet to lose a set at Flushing Meadows this year.
With Rafael Nadal in the other semi-final, there is still the chance of an all-Spanish final at the US Open, and Carreno-Busta will be out to make that happen.
The Spaniard’s draw has opened up beautifully in that bottom half and he is yet to face a seeded player with wins over Evan King, Cameron Norrie, Nicolas Mahut, Denis Shapovalov and Diego Schwartzman.
Given the level of opposition, it’s very hard to get a read on where Carreno Busta is. He has been in a ruthless mood to close matches out, but Anderson will provide a very new and very different challenge to anything he has seen over the last fortnight.
If you were to look at pre-tournament form as a guide, then Carreno Busta doesn’t even rate a mention with early exits in Montreal and Cincinnati.
The pair have met twice previously, the last of those coming this year with Anderson winning both.
Prediction
It’s so difficult to see Carreno Busta competing with the on-fire serve of Anderson. If he starts strong and gets some momentum, he might be able to take the first set, but that’ll be it.
Anderson in four sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the bottom half semi-final from 6am (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me here on The Roar for our live coverage of this first semi-final. We are moving straight onto the next one, and it's Rafael Nadal taking on Juan Martin Del Potro. Join me for that call. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage of this one. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Heartbreak for Busta, really. The biggest chance for him to make a grand slam final, and he has been outpowered today. Thoughts Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH KEVIN ANDERSON! Kevin Anderson is through to the US Open final. South Africa, at long, long last have a grand slam finalist. The 28th seed goes with a big serve down the middle, Busta gets a ball back in and the puts a forehand into the net. A four-set victory, and he will take on either Juan Martin Del Potro or Rafael Nadal in the final. What a performance. Kevin Anderson 4 7 6 6 Pablo Carreno Busta 6 5 3 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
Anderson up to the net, then back to the baseline to recover the lob and he smacks a great overhead shot down the line. Match point! Anderson 4 7 6 5 - 40 Busta 6 5 3 4 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Anderson. The second is out wide, followed up with a powerful forehand. Anderson inside the service box and he hits a volley from the middle of the doubles alley - that was going out - but Anderson plays the backhand volley and it somehow lands in. Anderson 4 7 6 5 - 30 Busta 6 5 3 4 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve from Anderson and it's another long rally. Busta isn't going to go away without a serious last ditch effort here, and Anderson eventually sends the forehand long. Another 30-shot rally. Anderson 4 7 6 5 - 15 Busta 6 5 3 4 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve and it's in this time. Carreno Busta playing with great depth, but he gets inside the baseline and puts a forehand into the net. Anderson 4 7 6 5 - 15 Busta 6 5 3 4 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Right then, Anderson serving for the match. Fault to start. Carreno Busta returns the second and it's a longer point. Anderson to the net, good forehand back in behind, then he is sent scrambling as the baseline rally starts again. Neither player on top, and this is by far the longest rally of he match before Anderson makes the error. Wow. A 38-shot rally! Anderson 4 7 6 5 - 0 Busta 6 5 3 4 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, Carreno Busta survives and stays in the match. Good serve down the middle and Anderson will now have a chance to serve for a spot in the final. Anderson 4 7 6 5 - Busta 6 5 3 4 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Carreno Busta. The return is a big backhand, before Busta stays in the point and Anderson hits a forehand that sails long. Anderson 4 7 6 5 - Busta 6 5 3 3 - AD
Scott Pryde
Expert
Great return and straight back to deuce. Anderson 4 7 6 5 - Busta 6 5 3 3 - deuce (5)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Busta and Anderson rips a backhand return, then bludgeons forehands, but eventually sends one long. He is trying to play with a lot of depth here. Anderson 4 7 6 5 - Busta 6 5 3 3 - AD
Scott Pryde
Expert
Carreno Busta just can't hold serve here. Not a bad serve, but he puts a forehand into the high part of the net. Anderson 4 7 6 5 - Busta 6 5 3 3 - deuce (4)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Busta. The second is at the body and he hits a backhand return, a forehand down the line and then has to settle before putting a ball into the net. Anderson 4 7 6 5 - Busta 6 5 3 3 - AD
Scott Pryde
Expert
Serve down the T and oh my! What a forehand return. Straight down the line. Anderson 4 7 6 5 - Busta 6 5 3 3 - deuce (3)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Busta with a fault. The second is at the body and returned with a big forehand. Anderson gets some luck off the net, then has to hit a runner and it goes long. Busta did well to get to the ball off the net, but couldn't answer the lob. Review, but well out. Anderson 4 7 6 5 - Busta 6 5 3 3 - AD
Scott Pryde
Expert
Longer point and Busta sends a forehand wide. He was under plenty of pressure there. Anderson 4 7 6 5 - Busta 6 5 3 3 - deuce (2)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Busta goes with a wide serve and that generates a short reply. He then advances and sends the backhand in behind for the winner. Anderson 4 7 6 5 - Busta 6 5 3 3 - AD
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Anderson. The second is at the body and returned well before Anderson hits a forehand to the sideline. Anderson 4 7 6 5 - Busta 6 5 3 3 - deuce (1)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Busta with a wide serve and Anderson returns on a forehand, comes to the net and Busta sprays a forehand wide. Anderson 4 7 6 5 - 30 Busta 6 5 3 3 - 40