Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
‘Cannonball Kev’ is shot down
ARGENTINE Guido Pella pulled off a major upset at Wimbledon yesterday, beating fourth seed and 2018 finalist Kevin Anderson in straight sets to reach the last 16 of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time.
The 29-year-old, who beat the big-serving South African 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(4), will play Canada’s Milos Raonic next for a place in the quarter-finals.
“I don’t know how to describe this moment,” an emotional Pella said.
“This match was unbelievable for me. I was focused the entire match and it was amazing.
“My mind is in the right place. I’m playing much more aggressively than previous years. I’m confident. I just need to continue to fight for every point.
“To be in the second week is an unbelievable feeling.”
“Cannonball Kev” Anderson, runner-up to Novak Djokovic last year, arrived at the All England
Club after an injury-hit season due to a troublesome right elbow and his serve-and-volley game was derailed by a lack of sharpness at key moments.
Pella, the 26th seed, made a nervy start, saving two break points in his opening service game on Centre Court before settling into his stride.
He kept the 2.03-metre tall (6ft 8in) Anderson, the tallest man to play a Wimbledon final, guessing with a dizzying array of shots, including his backhand slice, and made 13 unforced errors compared to 29 from his opponent.
There was little to choose between the two in the opening set until Anderson’s first serve deserted him with the score level at 5-5.
Anderson had reached the third round without his serve being broken, but Pella turned the screws at the right moment, converting his fourth set point to claim the opener when the South African netted a forehand.
That rattled Anderson, who came out swinging at the start of the second set, but the 33-year-old’s timing was off and Pella broke again to race into a 3-0 lead.
Anderson clawed a break back when Pella sent a backhand volley wide with the court at his mercy, but the Argentine broke again and served out the set to take a 2-0 lead.
Anderson, who hit 14 aces and 40 winners, fought on grimly to send the third set into a tiebreak, but Pella kept his composure, winning a stunning exchange of volleys that brought the crowd to its feet to earn two match points before claiming the biggest win of his career.
Meanwhile, the third-seeded doubles pair of South Africa’s Raven Klaasen and Michael Venus of New Zealand moved into the third round after beating Lleyton Hewitt and Jordan Thompson of Australia 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-2. Klaasen and Venus will play Frederik Nielsen of Norway and Robin Haase of the Netherlands, the 16th seeds, in their last 16 encounter on Monday. |