Anderson wins Winston-Salem crown
South Africa's Kevin Anderson ended his losing streak in ATP tournament finals here Saturday with a straight sets win over France's Pierre-Hugues Herbert to take the Winston-Salem Open crown.
World number 15 Anderson ensured he would head to next week's US Open in New York brimming with confidence after downing Herbert 6-4, 7-5.
Anderson had lost all seven finals he had contested since his last tournament victory at Delray Beach in 2012.
However he always looked in control against Herbert as he swept to victory, the third title of his career.
"This is a great feeling," said Anderson, relieved to finally snap his losing run in finals. "It's always tough to play a great week and fall at the last hurdle," he added.
Anderson secured an early break in the first set to go 3-2 up and held his advantage to go 1-0 up.
A tense second set was ultimately decided in the 11th game, when Herbert, playing his first ATP final, double-faulted to gift Anderson a break and a 6-5 lead.
Anderson then held serve to complete a convincing win.