South Africa’s presence in the Australian Open singles draw has been snuffed out as both Kevin Anderson and Lloyd Harris were knocked out on Wednesday.
Fifth seed Anderson’s hopes of reaching his third Grand Slam final in two years was ended by 20-year-old American Frances Tiafoe in Melbourne in four sets.
Anderson, the 2017 US Open and Wimbledon 2018 runner-up, claimed the first set 6-4 but Tiafoe fought back to take the next three 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 to book a place in the third round.
Anderson hit 50 winners but also made 35 unforced errors.
It was another disappointment Down Under for the Joburger, whose record at the Australian Open now reads 12 wins and 11 losses which included last year’s first-round exit.
Meanwhile, 21-year-old Harris was reminded of what it would require to feature among the best singles players in the world with a resounding 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 pak slae at the hands of Russian Daniil Medvedev.
Harris admitted as much after world No.19 Medvedev, ranked 100 places above the South African, made him pay for 39 unforced errors.
The Capetonian says: “[It] was very difficult for me. Daniil won a couple of crucial points early in the first set and that kind of set the tone for the match.
“He played well and I was unable to produce my best tennis. I learnt a lot from this match and it only motivates me to work harder to get stronger and better for the future.”