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SA's Harris continues his ATP rise

Cape Town - Rising South African tennis star, Lloyd Harris, jetted into his hometown of Cape Town on Tuesday morning on a high following a successful few weeks on the international circuit. 

The 19 year old, 6'4" right-hander has just completed a hat-trick in Egypt winning three Futures singles titles in a row which has seen his singles world ranking this week rise to 308. 

Harris, who in May this year enjoyed a career high ranking of 303, is upbeat about ending the year in positive territory. 

"I have not set any ranking goals for the end of the year as it’s been difficult to set ranking goals with my injuries," he said.

"The goal was to get stronger and play as many matches as possible so that I could start 2017 on the Challenger and ATP tour." 

The win in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt on Sunday was Harris's seventh career Futures title.

Since turning pro in April of last year, Harris has made remarkable progress on the world rankings and has been earmarked as the next star of South African and world tennis.

Harris is the second highest world ranked South African singles player after Kevin Anderson and has already made his Davis Cup debut for his country against Lithuania at the start of the year. 

Harris will take a few days break at home with family and friends before he starts training with coach Anthony Harris at his Greenpoint Academy.

"I am currently feeling great about my game, everything is solid. However I would like to improve on my speed around the court and some minor things with Anthony regarding my overall game over the next week," said Harris. 

The next tournament stop for Harris will be the Digicall Futures Series in Stellenbosch which starts at the end of the month. After the three tournament series, Harris plans to play two more tournaments before the end of the year. 

"It’s great being back home and I look forward to working hard ahead of the Stellenbosch Futures where I hope to do well at home in my own backyard. Playing in South Africa is always special,” he said.

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