2018 Pune Final - [2] Kevin Anderson vs Gilles Simon

[The Green Mile]

Oh boy, here it is, your 2018 Pune final.

Mr Anderson leads the H2H 3-0, last meeting in Tokyo 2017, was quite a comprehensive win from what I can remember, though Gilles showing a good fight in the 2nd.

Can Gilles take out the Wimbledon and USO finalists back to back for his 13th title? Or will the 2nd seed capture his 4th title of his career? Good luck to both.

 

[Felix le chat]

I saw good highlights of Gilles semi win against Cilic and was impressed by his level/quality game.

It's sooooo early in the season.....but Monfils, Simon on the comeback trail...?

 

[The Green Mile]

Career finals record, Kevin 3-10, Simon 12-6.

 

[3fees]

Simon v Anderson, tough one to call, whom wants it the most,, I rate as even, now watch a 2 setter,,either can flub it away, either can play it tough.

Cheers
3fees

 

[The Green Mile]

Simon v Anderson, tough one to call, whom wants it the most,, I rate as even, now watch a 2 setter,,either can flub it away, either can play it tough.

Cheers
3fees

Have you seen Kevin play this week? Haven't seen any of him, wondering what his general form has been like...

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Time for more tennis. We'll see if I can make it through this one, I was supposed to go to bed after Kyrgios' match

 

[The Green Mile]

Time for more tennis. We'll see if I can make it through this one, I was supposed to go to bed after Kyrgios' match

It doesn't start for at least another 90 minutes though.

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

It doesn't start for at least another 90 minutes though.

You know what that means..Netflix time. As luck would have it, I'm right at the Lucifer season(s) in my rewatch of SN.

 

[Red Rick]

Anderson tilts me. He plays the weakest draw every single weak it seems.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

You know what that means..Netflix time. As luck would have it, I'm right at the Lucifer season(s) in my rewatch of SN.

Thought you meant the actual Lucifer. Our man is there this season. Haven't watched any myself.

Was really looking forward to Kyrgios and Dimitrov. No energy to stay up. booo

 

[Soul_Evisceration]

Amazing that Anderson never lost to Simon while Cilic who's superior to Anderson on every facet of the game is 1-7 vs Simon. Shocking.

Anyways I am going with Anderson in 3 sets.

 

[The Green Mile]

Warming up right now, Anderson choosing to serve first.

 

[The Green Mile]

Damn, Simon really rolling in these first serves in his opening service game, 140-150 kmh. First time all week, probably nerves. He holds though, 1-1.

 

[The Green Mile]

Another solid hold from Kevin, it's going to be a tough job today on return for Gillou, withstanding the barrage of huge first serves. He does a good job in finding the backhand off the 2nd serve return, hopefully he makes them count when the opportunity arises.

A lot of waiting around for the crowd to take their seats...

 

[The Green Mile]

Simon in trouble, love 30. Big DF, 3 BPs for Anderson.

All three saved...

 

[The Green Mile]

Both guys shaky right now, Kevin can't stop shanking the ball, and Simon can't seem to find anything but the net....

Massive hold, Simon saves 4 BPs, Kevin should be kicking himself, though you'd think he'd get plenty of opportunities as the match progresses.

 

[The Green Mile]

Kevin serving, 40-15 to 40-40 here, first serve return winner off the backhand side, followed by the 2nd serve forehand winner, both dtl...

Good hold in the end, 5th ace coming to his aid. 3-2.

 

[The Green Mile]

Love hold for Simon, somewhat cheap from Kevin on return, though Simon with a high number of first serves in around the 160-170 kmh mark....

 

[The Green Mile]

Great depth on the 2nd serve return, gets the short ball, and is quickly on it. Inside out forehand winner for 15-30. Kevin misses the forehand wide, 2 BPs for Gilles.

Kevin a bit frustrated, having to replay the point at 15-15.

 

[The Green Mile]

GILLOU!!!! What a shot! Breaks for 4-3.

 

[The Green Mile]

Massive momentum shift, Kevin missing a lot off the backhand side, love hold for 5-3.

 

[The Green Mile]

Simon refusing to miss right now, 15-30, Kevin seemingly more passive after the break of serve, though the depth of shot from Simon has increased....

Anderson does come through for 4-5.

 

[The Green Mile]

Anderson with BP.....

Kevin passes Simon cross-court off the backhand side, ball clipping the tape, though the result would probably still have been the same. Back on serve, 5-5...

Kevin has the momentum back, holds comfortably for 6-5.

 

[The Green Mile]

Well, he gets a love hold this time. TB....

 

[The Green Mile]

Simon has done a good job in jamming Kevin on his backhand return, 3-3 on changeover.....

 

[The Green Mile]

Glorious! Simon finally manages to get that big serve out wide on ad side back in play, and he comes up with another glorious forehand pass. Simon up 5-3.

Simon 5-4, two serves to come....

 

[The Green Mile]

ALLEZ!!!! Best point of the match! Simon takes the TB. Amazing that Kevin only then started to employ the slice backhand, for the first time all match.... What a rally...

 

[jaggy]

First set Simon

 

[The Green Mile]

Quick love hold from Gilles, nice. Finally went big on a first serve, his first ace of the match at 30-0. 1-0, 2nd set.

 

[The Green Mile]

Kevin mishitting here, love 30...

GOATmon on first serve return, 3 BPs...

Dammit, Kevin saves all three with massive first serves.

Kevin servebots his way out of trouble, impressive hold. 1-1.

 

[The Green Mile]

Simon cruising on serve right now, barely losing points for the last few service games now. Another solid hold for 2-1, 2nd set. Kevin trying to employ the slice, but doesn't seem to have the confidence or ability to play it consistently. Plenty of them way off target.

 

[The Green Mile]

Kevin trying to attack that 2nd serve with the forehand, but hasn't executed well, many errors. Simon holds for 3-2. Almost 25% difference on 2nd serve return points won.

 

[The Green Mile]

Kevin had the entire court open and Simon off court, nets the backhand. Raises his arms in disbelief. Love 30.

Two great serves, 30-30. He better not servebot his way of trouble again... Poor shot selection there, BP Simon.

 

[The Green Mile]

Simon obviously wins the lengthy exchange, gets the break. 4-2, 2nd set. Anticipated that Tee serve as well, good stuff.

Similar to the Cilic match right now, fun to watch...

Amazing defense from Simon, Kevin almost smashes his racquet. Love hold for 5-2.

 

[The Green Mile]

Crowd going nuts for Simon right now, great crowd support.

 

[Red Rick]

Gilles Simon defeating servebots in ATP finals is one of the things I need more in my life

 

[The Green Mile]

Gilles with another exceptional first serve return, quickly onto the short ball, and closes the net. Love 30.

 

[The Green Mile]

2 MPs!!!

 

[zagor]

Surgical, first title in 3-4 years I think?

 

[The Green Mile]

He does it!! What a start to the year! 13th title! Amazing play all tournament, man, I hope he keeps that form going.

 

[Red Rick]

Brilliant. What did I hear earlier this week, Simon hadn't won his first match of a season since 2013?

 

[The Green Mile]

Defeats #3, #2 and #1 seeds, first title since early 2015.

 

[Sysyphus]

Gilles Simon – The Man, The Myth, The Legend.

 

[Red Rick]

One last note.

Simon saves Pablo Carreno Busta's top 10 spot. What a legend

 

[Red Rick]

Gilles Simon – The Man, The Myth, The Legend.

Hey now, that's my rickname nickname

In some places at least

 

[The Green Mile]

Gilles still has a doubles final to compete in as well, incredible week.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Gillou! What a man, what a run to the title. Really happy for him.

 

[sdont]

Amazing. I really thought Gilles was done after last season's results

And yet here he is again with another title to start the new season.

 

[jaggy]

Great win and next up dubs.

 

[JRAJ1988]

Gilles too good during this tournament, well deserved! 57th in the live ATP rankings, moved 32 places!!