South Africa’s leading men’s singles player Lloyd Harris is into the second round of Wimbledon in London, but not without a big fight and comeback effort on day one in London.

Harris advanced to the next round of the grass-court Grand Slam after fighting back from two sets down to beat the American teenager, Alex Michelsen, in five sets.

Michelsen took the first two sets after at one stage it seemed as if Harris may have had the upper hand. In the third set Harris mounted his comeback and he was playing with a lot more confidence, but he still seemed to rush between points instead of playing at his own pace.

Harris’ service game proved to be his biggest weapon once again, but it was also his biggest weakness, especially in the first two sets.

In the fifth and final set, Harris, could have clinched the game but Michelsen managed to break the service game of the South African to set up a second tiebreak. It was nail-biting stuff and with the tiebreaker deadlocked as 9-9, before Harris edged into the lead and pulled off one of the best match points a person could wish to see at SW19 for the victory.

After three and a half hours on court and 33 aces, the South African, beat Michelsen 3-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 and 7-6 to advance to the second round for the first time since 2021.

Harris will face the winner between Mattia Bellucci of Italy and Ben Shelton of USA in the second round. Bellucci was leading this game 6-4, 3-6 and 6-3 when play was suspended on Monday.

Watch Harris' match point against Michelsen.

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Morgan Piek OFM Sport