The first men’s semifinal at the United States Open on Friday had a distinctly warm-up act feel to it. Kevin Anderson and Pablo Carreño Busta do not have Grand Slam titles to their names or worldwide followings.
So the audience in Arthur Ashe Stadium was relatively quiet, and the mood somewhat subdued.
But that did not matter to the emotional Anderson, seeded 28th, who beat No. 12 Carreño Busta, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4, to claim a spot in the final.
Most of the tennis world was waiting for what was to follow: the main event, with No.