Alexei Popyrin

Aussie wildcard Alexei Popyrin has recorded a stunning top-10 win in the second round at Australian Open 2023.

“I’m going to do exactly what I did after the first match. I urged myself to keep working and keep pushing and I’m doing that in matches,” he said. “I had the toughest year last year. Popyrin’s third set was a serving masterclass with the world No.113 remarkably winning all 20 points off his own serve. It’s crazy. “It’s incredible. — TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) Take a bow, Alexei Popyrin! [WC] Alexei Popyrin (AUS) d [8] Taylor Fritz (USA) 6-7(4) 7-6(2) 6-4 6-7(6) 6-2 [WC] Alexei Popyrin (AUS) v Ben Shelton (USA) Ice bath, food, massage, stretching and do everything to be in great shape for the next challenge,” he said. The Aussie defeats the No.8 seed Taylor Fritz in a five-set epic, 6-7(4) 7-6(2) 6-4 6-7(6) 6-2

The Aussie's post-match interview took an emotional turn as the raucous home crowd cheered his name.

“I love this feeling and I want more of this feeling. “Yesterday I didn’t touch the racquet at all. I really couldn’t have done it without you guys,” he said. The Aussie needed a wildcard just to get into the grand slam after falling well outside the world’s top 100 in a difficult 2022 season. I want you guys to have this feeling more. “You guys were just incredible, oh my god.

Alexei Popyrin did not have a good 2022. The Australian started the year at world No 61 and ended it ranked 120th, knocked out in the opening round of every ...

A crowd like this makes it feel strange you don’t want to do it any more, but you get to a point where the other things become a little more difficult. I love this feeling and I want more of this feeling. I want you guys to have this feeling more. I’ve won as many matches this year as I won the whole of last year and it’s only January.” “I love playing, I love competing, I love playing in front of you guys. The Australian started the year as the world No 61 and ended it ranked 120th, knocked out in the opening round of every grand slam bar a second-round appearance at the US Open.

His win over top-10 player Taylor Fritz had the packed crowd at Melbourne Park chanting his name, and now Alexei Popyrin wants to taste more success, ...

"I don't know who I play in the fourth round, quarterfinals, semifinals. "For me, with the way I'm playing now, I think I have a good chance to win the next round. "I knew what he was thinking. He knew what I was thinking. "That's not something you get with every single coach. "We were so mentally locked in, both of us.

Alexei Popyrin has bundled Taylor Fritz out of the Australian Open for his second top-10 scalp this year to storm into the third round and equal his best ...

Popyrin knew something needed to change, and he appointed former Belgian star Xavier Malisse as his new coach in October, with the move already paying dividends. He knew what I was thinking. I knew what he was thinking. I wouldn’t have been saying it last year, for example. Popyrin did not drop a point on serve in the third set and broke Fritz in the third game as he cruised to a two-sets-to-one edge, but the American saved a match point on his way to forcing a deciding fifth set. Popyrin began to work his way on top of Fritz in the second set but could not capitalise on three break points in the sixth game and had to settle for a second straight tie-breaker. I don’t want that feeling I had last year ever again. He went on to clinch the decisive break soon after with a superb drop shot – in contrast to the ball-mashing that got him to that point – and Fritz could not chase it down. I love this feeling and want more of [it].” After saving a break point in the opening game of the final set with one of his 19 aces, Popyrin, who is back in the top 100 in the live ATP rankings, swung the match in his favour three games later with a brilliant reflex volley winner. I’m going to keep pushing and try and go all the way. Popyrin hammered 74 winners and dominated with his huge first serve but needed five sets to outlast the American eighth seed, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-2) 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 6-2 in a four-hour-plus epic.