Lloyd Harris reaches a career first, with progression to the third round of the US Open

South African tennis golden boy Lloyd Harris has continued his superb form as he progressed to the third round of the US Open for the first time in his fledging career. 

Harris defeated American Ernesto Escobedo on home soil, 6-4, 6-4 , 6-2 in New York on Thursday, to book his place into a maiden third round at the US Open.

Harris pulled off an upset in the first round of the US Open

The top ranked South African had pulled off a massive upset when he defeated 25th seed Russian Karen Khachanov, who had come fresh off his silver medal winning exploits at the Tokyo Olympics. That result ensured that Harris kept his record of winning his first round match at all four of the Grand Slams this year intact.

READ | (WATCH) UPSET! SOUTH AFRICAN TENNIS STAR LLOYD HARRIS DOWNS RAFA NADAL AT WASHINGTON OPEN

The 24-year-old Harris will now have another go at getting another first ticked off his career list, as he has never progressed past the third round at a grand slam so far, with his third round appearance at the Australian Open, still the furthest he has reached. 

Shapovalov standing in the way of another first

It is now just merely the tough task of trying to negotiate himself past the Canadian Denis Shapovalov, who is the US Open’s 7th seed, that is standing in the way of Harris and yet another milestone in his career. 

Harris has been in superb form all year round, with perhaps a recent victory over world number two Rafa Nadal, also in the USA, but Washington last month, illustrating just how far he has continued to grow from strength to strength and mature as he keeps flying the South African flag high on the international tennis circuit. 

Doubles success

Harris wasn’t the only South African to taste success, as there would also prove to be joy for Raven Klaasen on the doubles side of the tournament, as he progressed, together with his Japanese partner Ben McLachlan to the second round of the US Open with a 6-4, 6-7(7), 7-6(5) victory over American duo Mitchell Krueger and Michael Mmoh.