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Tennis

Harris lauds the influence of Anderson

───   MORGAN PIEK 14:00 Fri, 07 Jan 2022

Harris lauds the influence of Anderson | News Article
Lloyd Harris - Pete Staples/USTA

South Africa’s Lloyd Harris, has lauded his countryman, Kevin Anderson, after he advanced to the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.

Last night the 24-year-old Harris beat the USA’s Reilly Opelka in four-sets to secure his place in the last eight of the US Open in New York.

While the 2017 finalist at Flushing Meadows, Anderson, has tumbled down the rankings due to injuries, Harris, lauded him for the influence he has had on the game in South Africa.

Harris said he hopes to inspire the youngsters in the same way Anderson does.

“That gives you a lot of belief, being a South African, seeing that your countryman has done it.

“He has definitely been an inspiration to a lot of kids, also in South Africa. That's been nice.

“Hopefully I can also show them there's a pathway for more South Africans to come through.”

In 2018, Anderson, who has held a career-high ATP Ranking of 5th, played in the final of Wimbledon, where he lost to the then and current world number one, Novak Djokovic.

On Thursday, Harris will face the world number four, Alexander Zverev, in the quarter-finals of the US Open.

Harris' good run at the US Open has seen him climb from 46th in the world to 31st. If he does manage to beat Zverev he can climb even further up the rankings to 24th. He could also be up against Djokovic in the semi-finals.


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