It has been a while since Richard reached the last 16 of a GS tournament. To do so, he defeated Kevin Anderson 4-6 7-6 7-5 6-4. His next opponent is Novak Djokovic.
As expected, Anderson came out with his serve firing and Richard did not have the right answers. Richard saved 6 bps in the fifth game, but got broken in the 7th game and the South African sealed the set without difficulties. In the second set, Richard dealt better with Anderson's serve, had bps in 3 games, but in crucial moments Anderson saved himself - again with the serve. The set went to a breaker and a couple of second serves allowed Richard to impose himself 7-6(4).
In the third set, Anderson had 4 breakpoints in the 8th game, but Richard bravely did not give in and at 5 all it was him who achieved the decisive break to take the set 7-5.In the fourth set, Anderson's poor movement on clay became more and more exposed. One break suffice for a hard-fought 4-6 7-6 7-5 6-4 victory. Richard's joy on a very supportive Court Chartrier was there for all to be seen.
