Johannesburg Sunday Preview

© Reg CaldecottKevin Anderson is looking to become the first South African title winner since 2005.

South African No. 1 Kevin Anderson and Indian No. 1 Somdev Devvarman will duke it out in the final of the SA Tennis Open on Sunday, with the champion taking home the first ATP World Tour title of their career.

Anderson, at No. 59 the highest-ranked South African on the ATP World Tour, has been to one ATP World Tour final before, finishing runner-up in Las Vegas in 2008 (falling to Sam Querrey). Now he is trying to become the first South African titlist on the ATP World Tour since Wesley Moodie at Tokyo on Oct. 9, 2005.

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Devvarman, at No. 110, the highest-ranked player from India by a really long way (next-highest is No. 329 Karan Rastogi), has also been to one ATP World Tour final in the past, finishing runner-up at Chennal in January 2009 (falling to Marin Cilic). Now he is trying to become the first Indian titlist on the ATP World Tour since Leander Paes at Newport on July 12, 1998.

Devvarman prevented the first all-South African ATP World Tour final by beating Van der Merwe in the semi-finals on Saturday. Both Anderson and Devvarman are former collegiate stars in the US, Anderson playing at Illinois and Devvarman at Virginia. Anderson is 24 years old; Devvarman is 25 (turning 26 next week).

WHAT’S AT STAKE –
 Winner:  $76,500 and 250 South African Airways 2011 ATP Ranking points
 Runner-up:  $40,300 and 150 South African Airways 2011 ATP Ranking points

FINALS HISTORY –
Anderson: Appearing in his 2nd career ATP World Tour final……He is 0-1 lifetime in finals 
Devvarman: Appearing in his 2nd career ATP World Tour final……He is 0-1 lifetime in finals

Sunday Championship FedEx ATP Head 2 Head –

(4) Kevin Anderson (RSA) vs Somdev Devvarman (IND) Anderson Leads 1-0
10 US Open (U.S.A.) Hard R128 Kevin Anderson 6-3 6-4 6-3

Anderson FastFacts:
2011 Highlights:
SF: Brisbane (l Roddick)
YTD W-L: 7-3
YTD Titles: 0/Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: May 18, 1986
South African Airways 2011 ATP Ranking: 59

• Anderson, 24, the top South African on the ATP World Tour, has dropped two sets en route to his second career ATP World Tour final…He lost the opening set vs. Stephane Bohli and in the semi-finals on Saturday vs. Adrian Mannarino
• Last month he opened the season with a semi-final showing in Brisbane (l. to Roddick in three sets)
• His previous ATP World Tour final came in March 2008 in Las Vegas (l. to Querrey)
• Last year finished in the Top 70 for the first time in his career at No. 61…Reached a career-high No. 58 on Oct. 25
• Began the season playing mainly Challengers, capturing title in Baton Rouge and reaching final in Seoul (l. to Lu)…Had a 16-5 match record in Challengers and 14-18 on ATP World Tour
• He qualified an ATP World Tour-high nine times during the season with his best showing a semi-final in Atlanta (l. to Isner) in July (as main draw entry) …Compiled a 14-8 record (11-11 on hard)…Reached Grand Slam-best 3rd Rd. at US Open (l. to Gasquet)…Earned a career-high $300,354

Devvarman FastFacts:
2011 Highlights:
YTD W-L: 4-2
YTD Titles: 0
Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: February 13, 1985
South African Airways 2011 ATP Ranking: 110

• Devvarman, 25, has only dropped one set en route to his second ATP World Tour final, that coming in his 36 76(5) 61 quarter-final win over Rik de Voest on Friday
• Two years ago he opened the season with a runner-up in Chennai ranked No. 202, falling to Marin Cilic
• The top player from India last season finished a year-end best No. 108 after reaching a career-high No. 94 on Oct. 25...His best result was the quarter-finals in Johannesburg (l. to Ferrer) and also went 12-8 in Challengers
• Represented his country well last year by winning gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games while also helping India into the Davis Cup World Group this season

DOUBLES FINAL - LIPSKY/RAM GO FOR SECOND TITLE TOGETHER

(1) Lipsky/Ram (USA/USA) vs. Cerretani/Shamasdin (USA/CAN)
• Lipsky and Ram, the No. top seeds, have lost one set en route to the final (beating the Ratiwatanas in the first round, 61 36 108) and also took out one seeded team, No. 4 seeds Jamie Murray and Alexander Peya, in the semis
• Lipsky and Ram are playing their second ATP World Tour doubles final together, having won their first at Atlanta last year
• Cerretani and Shamasdin, unseeded, haven't lost a set en route to the final
• Cerretani and Shamasdin are playing their first ATP World Tour doubles final together
• ATP World Tour doubles finals records: Lipsky (3-5), Ram (4-1), Cerretani (2-1), Shamasdin (0-0)