Twosome on cusp of a breakthrough at Tennis Channel

Sam Querrey has had a week to remember at the Tennis Channel Open. But he has one piece of unfinished business left to attend to.

The one-time Las Vegas resident has positioned himself to win his first ATP Tour event after gutting out a 7-5, 6-2 victory over fourth-seeded Guillermo Canas in Saturday's semifinals on a blustery, chilly Stadium Court at the Darling Tennis Center.

Across the net from the 6-foot-6-inch, 20-year-old Querrey in the 3 p.m. final today will be unheralded South African Kevin Anderson. The 6-7, 20-year-old continued his improbable run by eliminating American veteran Robby Ginepri 7-6 (4) 6-4 in the other semifinal. Like Querrey, Anderson never has won an ATP event.

"My attitude coming into this was to treat it like a practice round, just relax and have fun," Querrey said. "I've been aggressive, and I'm going to use that approach from now on."

Querrey survived consecutive service breaks in the first set to overtake Canas. The veteran from Argentina double-faulted at the end of the first set to give Querrey momentum in the match.

"I was getting a little frustrated out there after he broke me that second time," Querrey said. "I just tried to stay with it, and when I got him at 5-5, I think he got frustrated, too."

Querrey went ahead for good at 2-1 in the second set as Canas again double-faulted on break point. Canas was never the same after that.

"It was very tough conditions with the wind," Canas said. "It was frustrating to not be able to play my best. But he served very well in the second set. He didn't give me many chances."

Querrey defeated Anderson last year in three sets at an ATP Challenger event in Sacramento, Calif. But the stakes are considerably higher today.

The winner receives $68,800. More important, 175 points for ranking purposes are at stake. For Querrey, who came into the Tennis Channel Open ranked No. 63 in the world, it's a chance to boost his standing.

"He's got that big serve, but his backhand seems like it's improved," Querrey said of Anderson. "It's going to be a very tough match."

The key to victory for Anderson was maintaining his composure after Ginepri came up with an early service break in both sets. Instead of folding, Anderson broke back in the next game each time.

In the first set, Ginepri was ahead 3-1 and appeared to be in control. But he got down 0-40 and was unable to save all three break points. Anderson hit a beautiful forehand return that clipped the sideline to get the set back on serve.

It went to a tiebreaker, and Anderson unleashed a flurry of big serves that Ginepri struggled with. His first four serves averaged 134 mph, and his best topped out at 137. But it wasn't until 4-4 that Anderson broke through. He uncorked a laser forehand down the left side to go up 5-4 on a minibreak, then served out the set.

"If he holds, I'm probably in a big hole," Anderson said. "I was fortunate to get both breaks back."

The second set was similar. Ginepri went ahead 2-1 when Anderson's return was wide. But Anderson came right back when Ginepri was down 30-40 and returned a shot into the net.

At 5-4 and Ginepri desperate to stay in it down 15-40, Anderson hit yet another forehand winner down the left side to make it to his first ATP Tour final.

"I'm very surprised to be in the final," said Anderson, a former University of Illinois star who had to go through three matches of qualifying play to gain a spot in the 32-player main draw. "But I don't think I'll be overwhelmed. The key is I believe I can compete at this level."

For Ginepri, who has played well the last three weeks, losing Saturday was a bitter disappointment.

"It's a bummer I didn't reach the final, but Kevin played well," Ginepri said. "I played two sloppy games. I wasn't moving my feet like I should have, and I was kinda edgy the whole match. I let my emotions get the best of me."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp @reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2913.