05 January,2018 11:39 AM IST | Pune | PTI
Kevin Anderson
Marin Cilic and Kevin Anderson, the two Grand Slam finalists in 2017, raised the prospects of a title clash after reaching the semi-finals of the Tata Open Maharashtra, with contrasting wins here yesterday. Top seed Cilic from Croatia outplayed eighth seed Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-3, 6-2 in 64 minutes but Anderson survived a mighty scare from a dogged Mikhail Kukushkin before edging past him 6-7, 6-4, 6-2.
The South African had to re-strategise against the Kazak in an intense quarter-final. His big serve, with which he fired 24 aces, was put to test by the Kazakh but eventually he found a way to win. Up against Kukushkin, a great retriever, Anderson had to rely on serve and volley mid way into the match and the strategy did work.
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