Raven Klaasen plays a backhand in his first round doubles match with Michael Venus of New Zealand against Bradley Klahn of the United States and Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan during day three of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 16, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
South Africa’s campaign ended at the Australian Open on Tuesday after Raven Klaasen was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the men’s doubles competition.
Klaasen and Michael Venus of New Zealand, who entered the Grand Slam tournament as the No 6 seeds, went down to Leonardo Mayer of Argentina and Joao Sousa of Portugal, who were made to work hard for a 6-4 7-6 victory as they booked their place in the semifinals.
Klaasen, a former finalist at Melbourne Park, was the best of the South African contingent at the two-week hard court event.
Singles contender Kevin Anderson, the No 5 seed, was handed a surprise early exit in the second round last week when he was knocked out by American prospect Frances Tiafoe.
Lloyd Harris, who earned his spot by progressing through the qualifying rounds, was knocked out in his opening match.
The 21-year-old player, making his second appearance in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament, lost in straight sets to Daniil Medvedev of Russia.
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