By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
Photo Credit: US Open.
Lloyd Harris pushed Stefanos Tsitsipas all the way, but South Africa’s last singles hope at the US Open has been knocked out after a gruelling four set battle in New York.
Tsitsipas recovered from losing the opening set to beat Harris 6 7, 6 3, 7 6, 6 4 in three hours and 27 minutes, ending a promising run for the South African qualifier.
Harris arrived at Flushing Meadows ranked 139th in the world and had already negotiated his way through qualifying before reaching the second round of the main draw. He now leaves New York knowing he was within touching distance of causing a significant upset against a player who has spent much of his career among the leading names in men’s tennis.
The South African made the stronger start.
Harris took the opening set in a dominant tiebreak, winning it 7 1, and suddenly Tsitsipas was facing another difficult afternoon after also dropping the first set against Arthur Fils in his opening match.
The Greek, ranked 53rd, responded in the same fashion.
Tsitsipas raised his level in the second set, taking it 6 3, before the contest became increasingly tense in the third.
Harris created his best opportunity when he broke to lead 4 3. For a moment, the match appeared to be turning back in his favour.
Tsitsipas responded immediately with a break of his own and then had to save another break point in the following game. Harris continued to press and had four opportunities to break in the 12th game and close out the set, but Tsitsipas held firm.
The third set went to another tiebreak, where Tsitsipas produced his best tennis at the right time to win 7 4.
That was the moment the match began to slip away from Harris.
Tsitsipas took control of the fourth set and repeatedly put pressure on the South African’s serve. He finally found the decisive break in the ninth game to move 5 4 ahead before serving out the match.
The statistics reflected a contest played at a high level and with plenty of risk. Tsitsipas hit 15 aces and 57 winners but also made 50 unforced errors. Harris finished with 37 winners and 37 unforced errors.
For Harris, the defeat is a frustrating end to a campaign that had already required plenty of work. His route into the main draw came through qualifying, and he then produced another composed performance to reach the second round.
His ranking may have placed him outside the tournament’s leading group, but his performance against Tsitsipas showed the level that remains in his game.
There was little between the pair for long periods. Harris had the first set, the momentum in the third and several opportunities to change the course of the match.
Tsitsipas simply handled the biggest moments better. The Greek now moves into the third round, where he will face Czech 18th seed Jiri Lehecka.
For South Africa, Harris’s exit means the singles challenge at this year’s US Open is over. For Harris himself, the tournament offered a reminder that he can still compete with players ranked considerably higher when he gets his game firing. He just couldn’t find the final points against Tsitsipas.