CAPE TOWN - Number seven seed David Goffin of Belgium advanced to the third round of the 2020 US Open with a four-set win over South Africa’s Lloyd Harris, 7-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, in a match that spanned two hours and 53 minutes.
The 29-year-old Goffin has advanced to the Round of 16 each of the past three years at the US Open. Harris, 23, was coming off his first US Open main-draw win, a three-setter on Monday.
In the first set, Harris certainly had his chances with five break-point opportunities, but was only able to convert once. On the serve, Harris dominated, as he won four of six games at love.
“I had never played him before and didn’t know what to expect with his serve,” said Gofiin, of the South African. “The balls were coming off the court pretty fast and I just wasn’t able to get a good look at his serve.”
What a spirited performance from @lloydharris63 🙌!
— Tennis South Africa (@TennisSA) September 2, 2020
Harris gives world no.10 Goffin a scare before going down in the @usopen second round.
It was a valiant effort from the 23-year-old Harris who lost 7-6(6), 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.
We are proud of you Lloyd! #usopen pic.twitter.com/GwtCYNNAYE
Simply looking at the stat sheet, it’s amazing Goffin was able to wrestle the first set away from Harris.
Harris won more points (54-49) as Goffin struggled on his serve - he was able to get in just over half of his first serves, at 53 percent (35 of 66). Goffin had a total of 25 unforced errors with just eight winners.
Despite the stats, however, Goffin was able to eke out the breaker, 8-6, taking the one-hour-and-eight-minute set on a forehand winner.
The second set started with four consecutive breaks of serve. Harris broke the set open in the sixth game, with a break of serve for a 4-2 lead, and held on to notch the set, 6-4.
Four years, four spots in Round 3.
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2020
David Goffin is the model of consistency. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/GdE5kiqfg2
In the third set, Goffin picked up his game and jumped out to a 4-1 lead with some big and timely serves (four aces) and fewer unforced errors (5) than winners (6).
US Open