Critical Atlanta open tournament for Anderson

“I needed the break after a tough programme in Europe,” Anderson said on Monday.

“The period back in the States has been just what was needed before launching the equally testing hardcourt campaign leading up to next month’s US Open.”

Anderson who finished runner-up to John Isner in last year’s tournament Atlanta Open would be out to redeem himself.

The towering Anderson and Isner who stand at 2.03 metres and 2.08 metres respectively recived different seedings for this year’s tournament– with Isner seeded first, and Anderson second.

Anderson who is 17th on the world-ranking will look to improve his career-best ranking.

However the pressure is on for Anderson as failure to reach the final or finishing runner-up again may change his current career best ranking.

Spain’s Tommy Robredo, Russia’s, Mikhail Youzny and Italy’s Fabio Fognini are all hot on his heels in the world rankings.

Anderson’s hopes have been boosted by a favourable draw in the tournament.

He received a first-round bye, a second round game against one of two qualifiers and he should find himself placed in a quarter segment that does not contain any players he should rightly fear.

It will be Anderson’s first tournament since reaching the last 16 at Wimbledon three weeks ago after ending a gruelling clay and grasscourt season with a defeat against Andy Murray.

After reaching two finals earlier this year, Anderson will be out to win his first ATP title of the year in Atlanta and add to the two titles won at the South African Open in 2011 and Delray Beach in 2012.

– Sapa