Anderson outlasts Domingues in night-session thriller

Former ATP Top 10 Kevin Anderson survived a gritty battle against Portuguese qualifier Joao Domingues, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 to keep his hopes alive in Millennium Estoril Open.

Anderson is no stranger to ATP matchups, nor night sessions but the South African got more than he bargained for in his first match in Estoril, under the floodlights, in Estádio Millennium.

Portuguese Joao Domingues, who was playing the main draw of an ATP event for the first time in his career, showed great maturity and showed great stamina against experienced opponent. In a duel reminiscent of “David and Goliath” 23-year-old Domingues, who enjoyed great support from the local crowd, took the first set and got Anderson on his back foot. The lanky South African fought back and won the second set forcing the decider.

The Portuguese, who took down Brit Kyle Edmund in the first round and was on a three game winning streak, was visibly struggling physically but drew energy from the unwavering crowd to keep fighting. Serving at 5-all Domingues suffered a fatal break and Anderson never looked back. After two hours and 25 minutes the South African prevailed and Domingues unforgettable campaign in Estoril came to an end.

Kevin Anderson, ranked 66.º ATP, will now face 2015 Millennium Estoril Open champion Richard Gasquet.