Australian Open Singles Draw: Lloyd Harris and Kevin Anderson to Represent South Africa

South African tennis star Lloyd Harris, seeded 30th, has been drawn to meet Australian wildcard Aleksandar Vukic in the opening round.

Harris, the world No 32, has never faced the 160th-ranked Vukic on the ATP Tour but will be wary of the Australian who made a name for himself earlier this week when he beat World No.35 Alexander Bublik in the Adelaide International to score his first top 50 victory.

Earlier this week Harris was knocked out of the first round at the Adelaide International by 53rd ranked South Korean Kwon Soon-woo. Harris’ training schedule had been disrupted when he tested positive for Covid-19 before the tournament and had to isolate.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s other contestant in the men’s singles, SA expat Kevin Anderson, has been handed a tough first round. The former world No.5, who is now based in the US, opens his account against American world No. 25 Reilly Opelka.

Anderson (101) and Opelka (25) have met once in Atlanta in 2016, where Opelka won their round of 16 encounter 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-5.

The doubles draw will be made later this week. Raven Klaasen will represent South Africa in the doubles event, alongside his Japanese partner Ben McLachlan.

The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam of the 2022 season and starts at Melbourne Park on Monday. It runs from January 17 – 30 2022 in Melbourne.

Source: Tennis South Africa on FB