By Tony Fairbairn
- Billy Harris [Q] def Gabriel Diallo 7-6(4) 7-5
- Harris v Mackenzie McDonald | H2H: First Meeting
NEWPORT, USA – Billy Harris is into the second round in Newport after a tight straight sets win over Gabriel Diallo, setting up a meeting with Mackenzie McDonald.
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Billy Harris [Q] def Gabriel Diallo 7-6(4) 7-5
Billy Harris is into the second round in Newport after a straight sets win over Gabriel Diallo. After qualifying for the event with two good wins, the Brit prevailed in a tight straight sets win that lasted two and a half hours. In a tough opening set, Harris justified his recent form on the grass by creating five break points in his opening three return games as he was by far the more persistent player on return.
That pressure was originally nullified by Diallo with the Canadian producing some impressive serving in big moments on serve. However on his seventh break point of the set, Harris broke serve to seal a 6-5 lead as he earned the opportunity to serve for the opening set. As the hour mark approached both players felt the fatigue of the match so far as Diallo punished Harris’ second serves to convert his only break point of the set and force a tiebreak.
The Brit took a 3-1 lead before Diallo grinded his way back to 3-3 with both players producing inconsistent tennis. In the end it was Harris who was the more composed as he won the final three points to win a 74 minute set.
It was equally as long in the second set with Harris being the one under pressure in the second set with Diallo increasing his level on return. The Canadian was agonisingly inefficient as he was left frustrated with seven break points coming and going. Those missed break points saw Diallo punished as Harris only needed one to secure the only break of the set in the twelfth game and clinch his 14th win of the grass court season.
Billy Harris [Q] v Mackenzie McDonald H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Billy Harris [Q] v Mackenzie McDonald | H2H: First Meeting |
| ATP Newport 2024 | Newport, USA |
| Grass (O) | Prize Money: €11,610 |
| Second on Court One (17:30 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Harris will aim to continue his good form when he takes on Mackenzie McDonald in the second round as the Brit edges nearer to a place in the world’s top 100.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2024)
| H2H: | Billy Harris (WR 116) | Mackenzie McDonald (WR 99) |
| Tournament Previous Best | N/A | Quarter-Final (2023) |
| 1st Serve % | 63.3 | 66.3 |
| Service Games Won % | 75 | 57.9 |
| Break Points Saved % | 54.3 | 39.6 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 45.9 | 47.4 |
| Break Points Converted % | 42.5 | 37.5 |
Harris will aim to continue his efficiency on return against a consistently effective server like McDonald.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
McDonald has had a frustrating season as he only returned from injury in May, missing four months of the year. The American managed to pick up a few wins over the grass court season and will be hoping that can spark a turn in form as the US hard court swing approaches.
Harris aims to use the forehand to push McDonald back as he will need to be proactive and take the ball early. Meanwhile, McDonald will look to be aggressive as he aims to maintain a high first serve percentage. This should be a good opportunity for Harris to reach his third ATP quarter-final in the grass court season with McDonald being low on confidence.
Prediction: Harris in three sets.
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