Roger Federer Dominates Kevin Anderson; Advances to Miami Masters Semifinals
March 29, 2019
The two highest seeds remaining in the men's singles draw of the Miami Open faced off in the quarterfinals Thursday, and No. 4 Roger Federer ousted No. 6 Kevin Anderson, 6-0, 6-4.
Rain delayed play at Hard Rock Stadium all afternoon, but Anderson and Federer were able to play their match as scheduled. All told, Federer needed just one hour and 25 minutes to advance to the semifinals.
The former world No. 1 swept Anderson in the first set in 27 minutes and 51 seconds, on cruise control and winning all six of his first serve points along with 26 of 36 points overall.
The second set was a bit more arduous for Federer. Anderson finally got on the board in the second set, cutting Federer's lead to 2-1 and eventually fighting to a 4-4 tie. However, that's as far as Anderson was able to take it.
Following a straight-sets victory over Daniil Medvedev on Wednesday, Federer was even sharper against Anderson and improved his all-time record to 6-1 against the 32-year-old South African.
Anderson's lone defeat of Federer came in the Wimbledon quarterfinals last year. This season, Anderson has been dealing with a nagging elbow injury. His injury has forced him to withdraw from four tournaments including the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells earlier this month.
Kevin Anderson @KAndersonATPI’m really sorry to say I’ve had to withdraw from the @BNPPARIBASOPEN. It’s been great spending some time in Indian Wells at the tournament and seeing the fans again. Thanks for the nice messages too. I am still working to get my elbow better and can’t wait to be back soon 🙏
Federer is bouncing back from falling to Dominic Thiem in the finals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells on March 17. The three-time Miami Open champion last won this tournament in 2017. John Isner is the defending champion, seeded seventh and set to play Felix Auger Aliassime in the semifinals.
What's Next?
Federer will continue on his road to claiming a fourth Miami Open title in the semifinals against No. 20 Denis Shapovalov, who defeated No. 28 Frances Tiafoe in a 6(5)-7(7), 6-4, 6-2 thriller. Federer has never played Shapovalov.