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Lloyd Harris, Kevin Anderson face Aussie, Serbian challenges at French Open

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Lloyd Harris. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Lloyd Harris. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

South Africa's top-ranked tennis player, Lloyd Harris, opens his French Open campaign on Sunday against Australian world No 108 Alexei Popyrin.

Harris, the world No 96, has never met Popyrin on the ATP Tour and will be looking to reach the French Open second round for a second year running.

The 23-year-old Capetonian is currently in action at an ATP Challenger event in Italy where he has reached the semi-finals.

Should Harris reach the second round at the French Open, he could face Italian seventh seed Matteo Berrettini.

South Africa's other singles participant, world No 118 Kevin Anderson, will open his account on Sunday against Serbian world No 72 Laslo Djere.

Anderson, a former world No 5, won his only previous ATP Tour encounter against Djere 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (8/6) at a hardcourt event in Pune, India last year.

Anderson could face another Serb, 22nd seeded Dusan Lajovic, in the second round.

Anderson's best effort at Roland Garros is reaching the Round of 16 on four occasions - 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2018.

Meanwhile, South African doubles ace Raven Klaasen will play alongside Austrian partner Oliver Marach, with the draw yet to be made.

Klaasen is ranked 14th on the ATP Tour's doubles rankings.

- Compiled by Herman Mostert

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