NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Persistence finally paid off for Kevin Anderson as the towering South African prevailed in a slugfest with Andy Murray to reach the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open on Monday while another tennis giant John Isner was slain by Roger Federer.
Two David v Goliath matchups, however, ended all too predictably as 97th ranked British qualifier Johanna Konta saw her Flushing Meadows joy ride ended 7-5 6-3 by fifth seeded Czech Petra Kvitova and 68th ranked American Donald Young ran out of comeback magic in a 6-4 1-6 6-3 6-4 loss to fifth seed Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland.
Tomas Berdych’s time in Flushing Meadows also came to an end with the sixth seeded Czech falling 2-6 6-3 6-4 6-1 to 12th seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet.
Seven times before the six-foot, eight-inch (2.03m) Anderson had progressed to the fourth round of a grand slam but never beyond until his 7-6(5) 6-3 6-7(2) 7-6(0) victory over third seeded Scot Murray.
Murray had battled his way back from two sets down in the second round against France’s Adrian Mannarino, but could not work another miracle against the 14th-ranked, 29-year-old, who swept the final tiebreak 7-0.
“That’s obviously something that is disappointing to lose,” said Murray after watching his run of reaching 18 consecutive grand slam quarter-finals come to an end. “That’s many years’ work that’s gone into building that sort of consistency.
“Also to lose a match like that, that was over four hours, tough obviously after a couple of tough matches earlier in the tournament, as well. It’s a hard one to lose, for sure.”
Second seed Federer also came face-to-face with one of the ATP Tour’s biggest hitters and coolly defused six-foot, 10-inch (2.08m) Isner’s booming serve to claim a 7-6(0) 7-6(6) 7-5 victory.
Federer held his own from the service line to thwart Isner, never losing his serve, and used his returning skills to derail a pair of long streaks enjoyed by the American.
The 34-year-old Federer closed out the two hour, 39 minute fourth-round match by breaking Isner’s serve, ending the American’s string of 108 consecutive service holds at the U.S. Open.
