Stefanos Tsitsipas reaches Grand Slam third round for first time since 2024

Stefanos Tsitsipas came from a set down to beat Lloyd Harris and reach the US Open third round. The win ends his long wait for consecutive victories in a Grand Slam, and sets up a meeting with Jiri Lehecka.Tsitsipas fought back from a set down to defeat Lloyd Harris in four sets. (Photo: Reuters)Stefanos Tsitsipas has reached the third round of the US Open, ending a long wait for a deep Grand Slam run. The Greek fought back from a set down to beat Lloyd Harris in four sets and reach the third round of a major for the first time since Roland Garros in 2024.Tsitsipas, ranked 53rd in the world, recovered from losing the opening set to beat the South African qualifier 6-7(1), 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-4 in three hours and 27 minutes. The 27-year-old produced an aggressive display, hitting 15 aces and 57 winners, although he also finished with 50 unforced errors.Harris, ranked 139th, had earned his place in the main draw through qualifying and continued to trouble Tsitsipas after taking the first set. He threatened to take control again when he broke for a 4-3 lead in the third, but Tsitsipas responded immediately before saving a break point in the following game.The Greek then missed four chances to break in the 12th game but recovered in the tie-break, winning it 7-4 to move two sets to one ahead. He took control of the fourth before making the decisive breakthrough in the ninth game and serving out the match. TSITSIPAS ENDS LONG WAIT IN NEW YORKThe victory marks Tsitsipas' first appearance in the US Open third round since 2021 and his first time recording consecutive wins in New York in five years. He will face 18th seed Jiri Lehecka on Friday for a place in the fourth round.Lehecka advanced with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 victory over British qualifier Toby Samuel, having earlier beaten Pablo Carreno Busta in four sets. Tsitsipas and Lehecka have split their four previous meetings, with the Greek winning the first two before the Czech claimed the next two.MARIANO NAVONE STUNS AGAIN Mariano Navone also produced another big result, following his shock victory over 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic by beating former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4).The Argentine has reached the third round at a hard-court Grand Slam for the first time, showing his fighting qualities again to add another major name to his run.Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka also cruised through, beating Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1, while Frances Tiafoe defeated Rei Sakamoto 6-3, 7-6(2), 7-5 to keep American hopes alive.- EndsPublished By: Debodinna ChakrabortyPublished On: Sep 3, 2026 08:51 IST