Alexei Popyrin has stunned the tennis world at the US Open after taking the first two sets against Novak Djokovic in their third-round clash. The World No.28, who has been in career-best form over the last few months, fired off 13 winners to claim the opening set 6-4 against the 24-time grand slam champion.
He then broke Djokovic again at 3-2 in the second, before holding his nerve to serve out the set 6-4 for a 2-0 lead in the blockbuster clash. Commentators described Popyrin’s play as “unreal” and “off the charts” as he left the World No.2 shell-shocked on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 25-year-old recently won his first-career Masters 1000 title in Canada, and Djokovic holds no fears for the Aussie star.
Popyrin has recent experience against the super Serb, having lost in four sets twice this year already at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. “I had chances in both matches and it’s just a matter of taking those chances and playing good on the big points,” the Aussie said ahead of the match.
“That’s what he did well those two matches and what I didn’t do too well. So if I can do that, then who knows what can happen. But, look, I just want to keep playing the way I have been the last two or three weeks. I feel really good out there.
“I enjoy the moment. I enjoy playing on a big courts. But yeah, he’s obviously the greatest of all time and a really tough opponent. We’ll see how it goes.
Djokovic had earlier said: “I am happy with the way I am playing from the back of the court but I still have to serve better, much better in order to have a chance to go deep in the tournament. It’s only going to get far tougher from here. I’ve got Alex Popyrin, who has been playing some great tennis in the last couple of weeks, so I am definitely going to have to play much better and step it up.”
Tennis fans and commentators were left gobsmacked by Popyrin’s display in the opening set, but many also questioned whether Djokovic was 100 per cent fit. With Alex de Minaur and Jordan Thompson also advancing, Popyrin has helped give Australia three men in the third round of the US Open for the first time in 27 years.
Frances Tiafoe to face winner of Djokovic and Popyrin
Earlier on Friday night (Saturday Australian time), Frances Tiafoe weathered a huge storm in the shape of Ben Shelton in a captivating all-American blockbuster. Tiafoe won 4-6 7-5 6-7 (7-5) 6-4 6-3 to move into the last-16 of the US Open for the fifth-consecutive year, where he will face the winner of Djokovic and Popyrin.
Tiafoe was eliminated by Shelton in four sets in the quarter-finals of the 2023 event. And the year before he defeated Rafa Nadal on the way to the semi-finals – the best grand slam showing of his career.
After getting past Shelton in a match that lasted four hours, three minutes, Tiafoe spread his arms wide and looked around at the thousands cheering in Arthur Ashe Stadium. “I’ve got to say, Ben’s an incredible player, man. He’s an incredible player. He really is,” Tiafoe told spectators during a post-match interview.
“He goes for all kind of shots. He’s got no care in the world. It’s really annoying. … He’s really talented. He can come up with great shots. So can I. It’s highlight after highlight. I hope you guys enjoyed the show.”
American No.12 seed Taylor Fritz also moved on with a 6-3 6-4 6-2 win against Francisco Comesana of Argentina. Other third-round winners on Friday included No.9 Gregor Dimitrov, who beat Tallon Griekspoor 6-3 6-3 6-1, and No.6 Andrey Rublev, who defeated Czech Jiri Lehecka 6-3 7-5 6-4.
