Kevin Anderson - Kevin Curren

[Ciaron]

Kevin Andersons big serving grass court game reminds me of Kevin Currens big serving game in 1985 when he made it to the Wimbledon final and lost out to Boris. I've just watched Anderson beat Stan 7-6 7-6 at Queens .. Served up 22 aces. Both gents have a similar vacant look about them. I think Kevin Currens nickname was "unconscious" haha .. Still .. Massive serve that unseated McEnroe then world number 1 6-2 6-2 6-4! as well as Edberg and Connors (then nr 3 in the world 6-2 6-2 6-1 in the run up to that '85 final
Also in 1983 Curren beat Jimmy Connors (defending champ) in the Wimbledon semis .. Sooo lets see how my fellow South African can fair going forward

 

[CurrenFan]

When his serve was on, I think Curren had one of the best, if not the very best, serves of all time. It was so flat and fast that it was simply a nightmare on grass. His motion was so slow and languid during his toss and suddenly the ball was past the opponent hitting the backboard. I remember watching one Wimbledon match (forget the opponent) when he simply had dozens of aces - it was an utterly dominating performance.

 

[glovesaves35]

I remember the Curren-Mac match. I was an eleven year old Mac fanboy and I was not happy with Mr. Curren lol. I remember being mad every time he dropped another bomb and there were lots. It just seemed so impossible to me that a guy could serve so stinkin hard. And as Curren fan mentioned that slow lead up to the explosion was mesmerizing.

I watched the Anderson-Wawa match too. If KA brings that kind of net game to Wimby he could easily find himself in the round of 16 with a shot at the quarters...maybe more with his serve...

 

[Mainad]

Funny that 2 of the 3* best South African singles players in the Open Era are both called Kevin, both tall for their time, both powerful servers and both now living in the United States!

As things stand, Curren is the more accomplished with his 2 Grand Slam singles finals (1984 AO & 1985 Wimbledon). Anderson has yet to make a quarter-final at any of the Slams.


*The 3rd is Wayne Ferreira who makes up a hat-trick of South African players now resident in the USA. Shame he too couldn't have been called Kevin! :wink:

 

[JRAJ1988]

Wayne Ferreira, now there's an old flame...he was so consistent even in his 30s...I remember him getting to the Semis of the Australian Open in 2003...got beat by Agassi if I recall.

 

[Tshooter]

I remember the Curren-Mac match...

I was at that match. That was when they had a standing section on Centre Court really close to the court. The only downside was I had to stand and watch Shrivers women's QF to make sure I had a good spot for JMac. So it was hours standing but it was worth it to see Current destroy JMac at W. Later the same day I got a seat and saw Becker beat Leconte.

In any case, I never saw any similarity between Curren and Anderson. Yeh, they both serve big. I got that.

 

[Tshooter]

Wayne Ferreira, now there's an old flame...he was so consistent even in his 30s...I remember him getting to the Semis of the Australian Open in 2003...got beat by Agassi if I recall.

Wayne, yes very consistent and a big forehand.

Two of my fav matches. When Wayne lost to Younes El Aynaoui at the USO in a match ending past 2am (I think it was old court 4 or 6) with a small but raucous crowd sticking around to the end.

And the time he beat up on Justin Gimelstob, USO 3rd round I think it was, ending the hype on young Justin.