South Africa’s lone entrant in the men’s singles draw at this year’s Australian Open, Lloyd Harris, in through to Round 2 in Melbourne.
ALSO READ | NAOMI OSAKA DROPS PREGNANCY BOMBSHELL
The 25-year-old Capetonian pulled off an upset win over 20-year-old Italian 17th-seed Lorenzo Musetti on Monday, winning in five sets 6-4, 6-1, 6-7 (7/0), 2-6, 7-6 (10/4).
The match lasted three hours and 51 minutes.
Harris will take on Hungarian Márton Fucsovics in the second round on Wednesday.
ALSO READ | NOVAK DJOKOVIC FREE TO PLAY IN AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Harris is guaranteed a minimum of A$158 850 (R1.83 million) if he loses to the 30-year-old Fucsovics – with many more rands heading his way if he does prevail!
ALSO READ | ASH BARTY ANNOUNCES PREGNANCY
The pair had never faced one another at ATP level, but did have one Challenger match on clay in Italy in 2020 which Musetti won after Harris retired in the third set.
Harris’ best performance at an Australian Open came in 2021 when he reached the third round.
ALSO READ | BORIS BECKER DEPORTED TO GERMANY AFTER PRISON RELEASE
Harris, 25, was sidelined for the second half of 2022 with a right wrist injury, but has made a welcome return to the court in the past couple of weeks.
Thanks to his ‘protected ranking’, he was guaranteed a berth in the 128-man draw for the tournament.
Lloyd Harris’ actual ATP ranking has ballooned to a ‘live’ 170th due to his inactivity over the last six months.
ALSO READ | BORIS BECKER TO WORK AS AUSTRALIAN OPEN PUNDIT
The Australian Open got underway at Melbourne Park on Monday, January 16.
READ | KEVIN ANDERSON CONFIRMS SHOCK RETIREMENT
