Anderson sweeps past Chardy

South Africa’s Kevin Anderson will face a tough test at the US Open when he takes on rising star Denis Shapovalov in the third round after both moved through round two on Thursday morning (SA time).

Anderson‚ 32‚ the number five seed, cruised past France’s Jeremy Chardy in straight sets winning 6-2 6-4 6-4‚ in 1hr, 55min at Flushing Meadows.

It was a much easier day at the office for the giant South African after his five-set battle in round one against American Ryan Harrison.

The Canadian left-hander‚ seeded 28‚ who is considered one of the brightest new talents in the game‚ needed five sets to oust Italy’s Andreas Seppi to set up a meeting with Anderson.

Shapovalov plays with little fear and his aggressive strategy of going for winners and punishing the ball at almost every opportunity against Seppi never wavered on his way to a 6-4 4-6 5-7 7-6 6-4 win. He hit 55 winners‚ but also made 76 unforced errors.

Anderson, though, appears to be hitting his stride now after that shaky first-round encounter when he struggled with cramps in the sweltering conditions at Flushing Meadows.

Anderson arrowed in 18 aces and hit 39 winners with only 22 unforced errors against Chardy. Anderson converted four of nine break points and never allowed Chardy a single breakpoint in the match.

Anderson‚ the 2017 US Open runner-up‚ is heading closer to a showdown with number one seed Rafa Nadal in a repeat of last year’s final.

Nadal and Anderson will meet in the quarterfinals if the draw goes to seeding. —