Harris serves big to book Wimbledon second-round clash with Rublev

The Star

17 hours ago

South African tennis ace Lloyd Harris had to rely heavily on his big serve as he booked his place in the second round at Wimbledon with a hard-fought 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (5-7), 6-2 victory over Belgium's Zizou Bergs in Monday's first round.
The former world No 31, who is on the comeback trail after major injury setbacks, will renew his rivalry with Russia's Andrey Rublev in the second round of the prestigious grass-court Grand Slam on Wednesday.
The two players last met in the first round of the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris last month, where Rublev beat Harris 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. On Monday, Wimbledon No 14 seed Rublev booked his place in the second round with a 6-0, 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (9-11), 7-6 (8-6) win over Serbia's Laslo Djere.
Harris and Rublev have met three times on the ATP Tour. Rublev has won all three matches, dropping only one set in the process. Their only previous meeting on Wimbledon grass resulted in a straight-sets victory for the Russian in 2021.
That was the same year the tall South African reached the US Open semi-final, before his career was derailed by serious wrist and back injuries that required surgery. He only returned to action earlier this year with mixed results.
However, Capetonian Harris will feel he has a chance to exact revenge for the defeat at Roland Garros, should his main weapon — his serve — fire as it did in the first round on the Wimbledon grass against the 50th seed.
He has shown the ability to step up on the biggest stages, and will feel he is building momentum after reaching the main draw at back-to-back Grand Slams. The fact that he was able to grind out a win in searing conditions at the All England Club on Monday will also ease fitness concerns.
Harris also reached the second round at Wimbledon last year, where he pushed rising US star Ben Shelton before losing in five sets.
He is the only South African player in the main draw at Wimbledon.
Four-time wheelchair tennis Grand Slam doubles winner Kgothatso Montjane and quads tennis player Donald Ramphadi will fly the South African flag in the Wimbledon wheelchair tennis tournament later this month.