One to Watch

At around 5:30 PM this evening, Kevin Anderson will say hello to the uber-talented Dominic Thiem within the intimate confines of Court 17.  Have to hope an enthusiastic crowd shows up for this tussle, because these two can play with anybody, and have the ATP rankings - both are top-20 - and titles to prove it.  Up to this point, Anderson is a much more accomplished hardcourt player - the South African is coming off a Winston-Salem title - but the 22-year-old Thiem is learning on the fly, and won't be stuck with a "dirt rat" label for much longer.  The young Austrian has every shot in the book, and made the 4th round of the Open in his very first appearance, last year.  Anderson straighted Thiem in Melbourne back in 2013, but he'll encounter a much more polished professional, today.  Thiem may be facing the same prospect, as Anderson has always been one of tennis' most dedicated practitioners, and continues to add wrinkles to an already imposing game anchored by one of the world's elite serves.  Give it a look on USOPEN.ORG/ESPN3.