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Johannesburg - South Africa's No 1 tennis player Kevin Anderson has equalled his career-best ranking after winning his second ATP Tour title at the weekend.
Anderson climbed six places to 30th in the latest world rankings released on Monday.
The big-serving South African defeated Australian qualifier Marinko Matosevic 6-4, 7-6 (7/2) to win the Delray Beach International in Florida, United States, on Sunday.
Anderson admitted both players were feeling the pressures of the final, but felt that mentally he was prepared for the match.
"Both of us were a little nervous at the start of match, so I had to find my rhythm," Anderson said.
"I think at the end, I felt I was mentally composed throughout [the tournament]. I didn’t let any patches of bad tennis affect my mindset [this week]."
In his run to the final, Anderson beat former world No 1 Andy Roddick and current world No 11 John Isner.
Anderson was pleased with his performance and believed he had settled into life outside South Africa.
"It feels fantastic, it's my first one in the United States, which is great," he said.
"I feel apart from South Africa, this is my new home."
The South African No 1 celebrated his victory with his new wife Kelsey and South African coach Louis Vosloo, who said Anderson was strong throughout the tournament.
"Kevin was a tough nut to crack all week, a real mental giant," Vosloo said.
Anderson lifted his only other tour title, also an ATP 250 event, when he won the SA Open in February last year.
