SA's Lloyd Harris ousted in 1st round of Monte Carlo Masters

South African tennis star Lloyd Harris was eliminated in the first round at the Monte Carlo Masters on Sunday.

Harris, the world No 40, lost 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 1-6 to 57th-ranked Marton Fucsovics from Hungary.

Harris fought hard to extend the match but ran out of puff in the final set, going down after two hours and 33 minutes of clay court tennis.

Last week, the 25-year-old Capetonian moved up four spots in the ATP rankings to No 40, which saw him climb above legendary Swiss Roger Federer, who dropped 18 places to 44th.

Harris had reached the last 16 of a Masters 1000 event for the first time at the Miami Open last month.

But it's been an inconsistent year for Harris - he entered the Monte Carlo Masters with a 5-8 ATP win-loss record.

He'll be looking for better results at the upcoming Masters events in Madrid and Rome, before the French Open starts on 22 May.