JOHANNESBURG (AP)—Home favorite Kevin Anderson rallied to win his first career ATP World Tour title Sunday, beating Somdev Devvarman of India 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the SA Tennis Open final.
Fourth-seeded Anderson broke twice in the decider at Montecasino and clinched victory on his first match point for his maiden title, fighting back from a set down for the third time this week at his home tournament in Johannesburg.
The 24-year-old Anderson won in 2 hours, 19 minutes when Devvarman pulled a backhand wide. He is the first South African to win a top-tier ATP tournament since Wesley Moodie triumphed in Tokyo in 2005.
“There are so many emotions running around right now,” Anderson said. “I’m just really thrilled and to win it here in South Africa, there’s no better feeling.”
Anderson served 11 aces to Devvarman’s seven, overcoming a slow start to regain the advantage and become the first home winner at the SA Open since 1989.
He improved to 2-0 against Devvarman, who also was seeking a first ATP title. Anderson converted four of 10 break points. Devvarman had two breaks, but finally fell to a home player after beating three South Africans in his run to the final.
The match was the second ATP final for both players.
Devvarman broke for an early 2-1 lead by putting the big-serving, 6-foot-8 tall Anderson under pressure with angled forehands from the baseline and aggressive returns of serve.
The Indian’s momentum was temporarily checked by two rain breaks in the first set and Anderson sent a whipped forehand winner past his opponent to break back for 3-3.
But Devvarman replied immediately with a second break and served out the opener 6-4.
The Johannesburg-born Anderson found his range in the second, serving strongly to level the match after a single break in the sixth game.
The South African No. 1 then opened a lead when he broke Devvarman’s serve to lead 3-2 in the decider and saved three break points in the next game for a crucial hold.