Cape Town - South Africa’s hopes in the singles category of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, California were dashed at the weekend when both Kevin Anderson and Rik de Voest both went out.
Anderson, our top-ranked singles player at 40 on the ATP world rankings, went out to American qualifier Michael Russell in a three-set affair lasting 2hr 30min.
Despite winning the ace count 12-0, Anderson only had a first service percentage of 59% and went down 7-6 (4) 3-6 4-6.
De Voest, after coming through the qualifying rounds and progressing to the second round, came up against World No1 Rafael Nadal and experienced first hand just why the Spaniard holds that position.
The experienced De Voest went down 0-6 2-6 in a match lasting exactly an hour. There was nothing to choose between the two when it came to aces (one apiece) and double faults were three for Nadal and two for De Voest.
But in terms of first service points Nadal had a 100% record compared to just 54% for De Voest. Still, De Voest will take invaluable experience out of the clash, the second time he has come up against Nadal.
Anderson, our top-ranked singles player at 40 on the ATP world rankings, went out to American qualifier Michael Russell in a three-set affair lasting 2hr 30min.
Despite winning the ace count 12-0, Anderson only had a first service percentage of 59% and went down 7-6 (4) 3-6 4-6.
De Voest, after coming through the qualifying rounds and progressing to the second round, came up against World No1 Rafael Nadal and experienced first hand just why the Spaniard holds that position.
The experienced De Voest went down 0-6 2-6 in a match lasting exactly an hour. There was nothing to choose between the two when it came to aces (one apiece) and double faults were three for Nadal and two for De Voest.
But in terms of first service points Nadal had a 100% record compared to just 54% for De Voest. Still, De Voest will take invaluable experience out of the clash, the second time he has come up against Nadal.