Lloyd Harris

Lloyd Harris, South Africa’s lone entrant in the men’s singles draw at this year’s Australian Open, isn’t expected to progress past Round 1. Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images

LIVE | Lloyd Harris v Lorenzo Musetti – Australian Open 2023

Lloyd Harris, South Africa’s lone entrant in the men’s singles draw at this year’s Australian Open, isn’t expected to progress past Round 1.

Lloyd Harris

Lloyd Harris, South Africa’s lone entrant in the men’s singles draw at this year’s Australian Open, isn’t expected to progress past Round 1. Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images

South Africa’s lone entrant in the men’s singles draw at this year’s Australian Open, Lloyd Harris, isn’t expected to progress past the opening round.

But don’t feel too bad for the 25-year-old Capetonian who will take home R1.2 million if he does indeed stumble at the first hurdle.

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Leading South African bookmakers Hollywoodbets have installed Musetti as a 7/20 favourite, with Harris on offer at 43/20.

The pair have never faced one another at ATP level, but did have one Challenger match on clay in Italy in 2020 which Musetti won after Harris retired in the third set.

Harris’ best performance at an Australian Open came in 2021 when he reached the third round.

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Australian Open starts on 16 January 2023

Harris, 25, was sidelined for the second half of 2022 with a right wrist injury, but has made a welcome return to the court in the past couple of weeks.

Thanks to his ‘protected ranking’, he was guaranteed a berth in the 128-man draw for the tournament.

Harris’ actual ATP ranking has ballooned to a ‘live’ 186th due to his inactivity over the last six months.

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The Australian Open gets underway at Melbourne Park on January 16.

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PREDICTION: Musetti to win in straight sets

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