By Ros Satar, at Wimbledon
- Kevin Anderson [8] v John Isner [9]
- H2H: Isner leads 8-3
- Isner 1-0 Anderson on grass
WIMBLEDON, UK – A landmark awaits as Kevin Anderson and John Isner bid for a spot in their first Wimbledon final.
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Kevin Anderson might have faced down one of the greatest players of all time in Roger Federer and found a state of self-belief to get him over the line, and he will need to dig every bit as deep again to snap a five-match losing streak to John Isner to reach a second Slam final.
Experience will play a big part here for Anderson – he has been in this position before and alas he capitulated completely to Rafael Nadal in the US Open final last year, but it is a series of matches that will have served him in good stead.
Isner has been playing the tennis of his life this year, claiming a first Masters title and now on the threshold of a first Slam final, and he edged Milos Raonic, whose body looked to be letting him down once more in a career ravaged with injury.
However, a semi-final of two big servers is not likely to capture the imagination much – it is unlikely to be a flashy display of tennis, but it should move quite quickly along, although let’s hope we don’t get into a five-setter as this is the first match on (Centre Court roof, notwithstanding).
What has impressed us about Anderson, certainly in his match against Gael Monfils was his movement and variety he managed to throw in to get around one of the game’s more flamboyant characters. He can play a net game and now is the time to choose to, to mix things up.
Of course, Isner has a consistent serve as his main weapon and when combined with his forehand, is possessed of a solid one-two punch combination. Interestingly he has been known to back a serve with a charge to the net but would not necessarily be categorised as a serve-volleyer and while his fitness has improved he can be vulnerable to be passed behind.
This feels as much as a lottery as ever, but it just feels like Anderson is ready to prove that his run to the US Open final was no fluke.
Prediction: Anderson in four sets.
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