Tennis-Giant Anderson quickly making a name for himself

By Sandra Harwitt

MIAMI, Fla., March 28 (Reuters) - South African Kevin Anderson was before this month an unknown player from Johannesburg who had come to the United States to play collegiate tennis at the University of Illinois.

The world number 122 is quickly making a name for himself on the ATP tour, however, upsetting defending champion and world number three Novak Djokovic 7-6 3-6 6-4 to claim his first victory over a top-10 player at the Sony Ericsson Open on Friday.

After five semesters at college, Anderson decided to leave university where he was an All-American three years running and the 2007 Big 10 Player of the Year.

"I think looking back I feel pretty happy with the decision I made," the 21-year-old Anderson told reporters. "It was really hard at first, especially the first couple of months, suddenly being by myself and knowing that I still had another year left at school.

"I just felt in my heart that I was ready to play."

Taught to play the game by his father Michael, Anderson still thinks of himself as just a college kid.

In fact, his thoughts were not totally on Djokovic as he knew his Illinois team mates were also heading to a big tournament.

"I feel it's (University of Illinois) really my home away from home," said Anderson, who still lives in Champagne, Illinois.