Paris Masters: Kevin Anderson Stuns Stan Wawrinka

South Africa’s Kevin Anderson came back from losing the opening set of his last-16 tie with Stanislas Wawrinka to advance in Paris.

The No. 14 seed produced his best run at the Masters 1000 event after firing 18 aces and claiming 75 per cent of first-serve point to claim a 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 7-6 (7-3) win in two hours and 50 minutes.

The win, his second this year over the Australian Open champion having previously won him at the same stage in Indian Wells, saw the 28-year-old Joburg-born player improve to 3-3 on head-to-head record against the Swiss and 4-8 against Top 10 opponents.

Wawrinka is already through to the World Tour finals, after which he would represent Switzerland in the Davis Cup final against France.

Anderson, who had never advanced past the third round in three prior attempts, would now face final showdown contender Tomas Berdych.

Fifth seed, Berdych, became the first player to book a quarter-final ticket on Thursday, keeping hopes of qualifying for next month’s ATP World Tour Finals alive.

The Czech, 29, saw off Spain’s Feliciano Lopez 7-5 6-3 to make his 13 last-8 progress at ATP tour-level.

Champion in Bercy, Paris, in 2005 and a winner already in Rotterdam and Stockholm this year, Berdych is currently No. 8 in the Race to London; a win away from sealing a fifth straight qualification for the season finale which will be held at the O2 Arena.

Berdych Through to Quarter-Finals in Paris. Image: Getty.
Berdych Through to Quarter-Finals in Paris. Image: Getty.

2012 champion David Ferrer defeated fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-1 6-2 to maintain his push for a World Tour Finals appearance.

The fourth seed is ninth in the Race for London and improves his head-to-head record against his countryman to 10-7.

The eighth seed cruised past ninth seed Dimitrov 6-3 6-3 in one hour and nine minutes to set up a last 8 duel with either top seed Novak Djokovic or Frenchman Gael Monfils, who lock horns later on Wednesday.

The win also helped Murray progress to the ATP World Tour Finals for a seventh consecutive time.

Canada’s Milos Raonic kept hopes of reaching a maiden World Tour Finals alive with a 7-5 7-6 (7) round of 16 win over Roberto Bautista Agut.


More to follow…