Tricky Frenchman awaits Anderson in Cincinnati

Cape Town - South African tennis star Kevin Anderson will open his Cincinnati Masters campaign against Frenchman Jeremy Chardy on Wednesday.

Anderson is the sixth seed for the final tune-up event ahead of the US Open and had a bye in the first round, before facing Chardy in the Round 2.

The Frenchman, who is ranked 46th in the world in the official ATP rankings, comfortably defeated seasoned Spanish player Fernando Verdasco 6-1, 6-2 in his first round match.

Chardy has a reputation for blowing hot and cold, but is a dangerous opponent for Anderson. The Frenchman is an attacking player with a big serve and forehand.

Their head-to-head series in matches on the ATP World Tour is locked at 1-1.

Chardy won the first encounter 6-4, 6-4 on an outdoor hard court in Tokyo in 2014, before Anderson edged a thrilling encounter on the clay courts of Houston in 2015, winning 7-5, 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/3).

Anderson will be eager to impress in Cincinnati, especially after his disappointment last weekend at the Toronto Masters where he squandered a match point in a semi-final loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece.

Should Anderson prevail against Chardy, he will play Belgian 11th-seed David Goffin in the Cincinnati third round, who ironically beat Tsitsipas in their second round encounter on Tuesday.

Anderson, who played in the doubles event in Toronto alongside Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, will not play doubles in Cincinnati.

The duo, however, did not rule out again pairing up at future tournaments.

It was an honour to play with you this week, @DjokerNole! ?? Hope we can have #Djokerson on court again in the future ?? pic.twitter.com/988p98M7og

— Kevin Anderson (@KAndersonATP) August 10, 2018