Lloyd Harris is out of Wimbledon

South Africa’s Lloyd Harris has lost his second round Wimbledon match against American 14th-seed Ben Shelton.

Harris, who is the only South African – male or female – in singles action at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in 2024, had reached the second round after a thrilling Round 1 win over another American, teenager Alex Michelsen, on Monday.

Harris prevailed in that match in five-sets, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2, 7-6 (11/9).

Meanwhile, Ben Shelton edged Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci in his first round clash, also in five sets, winning 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

However, Harris’s tournament came to an end on Thursday – in another five-setter.

Shelton won 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (7/5), 6-3, 7-6 (10/7) in a match which lasted three hours and 53 minutes.

Harris and left-handed Shelton have never faced one another at ATP tour level prior to the clash.

HANDSOME PAY DAY AWAITS LLOYD HARRIS

Last week, Harris came through three rounds of qualifying to secure his spot in the men’s singles main draw for the tournament.

He beat Italy’s Andrea Vavassori 6-2, 6-2 in the first round of qualifying, then proved too strong for Britain’s George Loffhagen, winning 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/5) in the second round.

The 27-year-old Harris then beat France’s Hugo Grenier 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5) to seal his qualification.

It’s already been a lucrative few days for Harris who picked up £40 000 (R935 000) for progressing through the qualifying rounds.

The lanky Capetonian picked up another £93 000 (R2.16 million) for losing in the Round of 64.

Harris equalled his best performance on the hallowed grass courts at Wimbledon from 2021 when he also reached the second round.