Top seed Carlos Alcaraz launched the defence of his US Open title with a brisk victory after his opponent suffered an injury on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
Lloyd Harris beaten by Matteo Berrettini in Indian Wells
South Africa’s Lloyd Harris has crashed out of the Indian Well Masters after losing to Italian sixth-seed Matteo Berrettini on Tuesday.
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz launched the defence of his US Open title with a brisk victory after his opponent suffered an injury on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
South Africa’s Lloyd Harris has crashed out of the Indian Well Masters after losing to Italian sixth-seed Matteo Berrettini on Tuesday.
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Berrettini won their Round 3 encounter 6-4, 7-5 to reach the last 16 in the Californian desert.
In a match which lasted an hour and 34 minutes, Berrettini out-aced Harris 12-6.
“It means a lot (to reach the fourth round),” Berrettini said in a on-court interview post-match.
“I like the conditions but for some reason, I have never been able to play my best tennis here. I am happy with my performance, Lloyd is a tough opponent. It feels really nice to reach the fourth round for the first time. Every year I am improving.”
Berrettini will next face unseeded Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic who beat Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7/3), 7-5.
Lloyd Harris has had a tough 2022
Harris, the 30th seed and world No 32, beat Argentine Facundo Bagnis 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in his opening match. He had a bye in the first round.
As reported by The South African website, it’s been a rough start to 2022 for the 25-year-old Capetonian who lost his first five matches on the ATP Tour and also suffered a shock Davis Cup defeat to little-known Israeli Yshai Oliel.
Berrettini is now 2-0 in head to head matches against Harris, having also won their first meeting 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 at the 2020 French Open.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s other singles player, Kevin Anderson, didn’t make the main draw at Indian Wells after he went down 6-3, 2-6, 2-6 to Australian Christopher O’Connell in the tournament’s qualifiers.
Results on Tuesday in the Indian Wells WTA and ATP Masters hardcourt tennis tournament (x-denotes seeded player, players representing Russia and Belarus are banned from competing under the name or flag of Russia or Belarus until further notice):
Men
Matteo Berrettini (ITA x6) bt Lloyd Harris (RSA x30) 6-4, 7-5
Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) bt Botic van de Zandschulp (NED) 7-6 (7/3), 7-5
Taylor Fritz (USA x20) bt Jaume Munar (ESP) 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7/2)
Alex De Minaur (AUS x29) bt Tommy Paul (USA) 7-6 (7/2), 6-4
Andrey Rublev (x7) bt Frances Tiafoe (USA x28) 6-3, 6-4
Hubert Hurkacz (POL x11) bt Steve Johnson (USA) 7-6 (9/7), 6-3
John Isner (USA x23) bt Diego Schwartzman (ARG x14) 7-5, 6-3
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL x33) bt Alexander Bublik (KAZ x31) 6-3, 6-4
Women
Simona Halep (ROM x24) bt Sorana Cirstea (ROM x26) 6-1, 6-4
Petra Martic (CRO) bt Liudmila Samsonova (x28) 7-6 (8/6), 6-4
Iga Swiatek (POL x3) bt Angelique Kerber (GER x15) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
Madison Keys (USA x25) bt Harriet Dart (GBR) 6-1, 6-4
Paula Badosa (ESP x5) bt Leylah Fernandez (CAN x18) 6-4, 6-4
Veronika Kudermetova (x21) bt Markéta Vondroušová (CZE x30) 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (5/7), 7-5
Maria Sakkari (GRE x6) bt Daria Saville (AUS) 4-1 retired
Elena Rybakina (KAZ x17) bt Viktorija Golubic (SUI x31) 7-6 (7/5), 6-2
