Kevin Anderson's coach, Brad Dancer, says the South African will "play his heart out" in Sunday's US Open final against Rafa Nadal.

Anderson takes on the favourite Nadal in New York on Sunday hoping to cause a big upset and win his maiden Grand Slam title.

The 31-year-old had enjoyed a career-best year before arriving in Flushing Meadows after making it to the fourth round of both the French Open and Wimbledon but now has his sights set on an even bigger achievement.

Not many pundits or fans are giving the Chicago-based giant much hope of seeing off Nadal and preventing the Spaniard from claiming his 16th Grand Slam title, but coach Dancer expects him to compete in the Big Apple.

"He’s going to play his heart out," Dancer told the Chicago Sun-Times. "He’s incredibly mentally strong, a great competitor. He’s always up for the fight.

"He’s always looking to compete."