BNP Paribas Masters, Paris

As important as it is for a player to know their strengths, it is probably more important to know their limitations.  [CR18] Kevin Anderson (RSA) does not move well, and he has to take that into account whenever he plays someone like [CR4] Stan Wawrinka (SUI), who moves better and hits the ball with pace.

Anderson did what many players do when they get anxious; they forget their strengths and get lured into their opponent’s plan, which is designed to expose their deficiencies. Wawrinka won the majority of points the minute he had Anderson on the move. Yet, Anderson did not give into panic after losing the first set because he knew that he had beaten Wawrinka their last two encounters.

This match could have gone either way as both players were tense and equally desirous of the victory, but it was Anderson who overcame his tension to conquer Wawrinka’s backhand and win 6-7(2), 7-5, 7-6(3).