Alexei Popyrin has fulfilled his end of the bargain and books a likely third-round US Open showdown with reigning champion Novak Djokovic. Popyrin braved the scorching heat in New York to crush Spaniard Pedro Martinez 6-2 6-4 6-0, while three of his Australian cohorts were kept down to earth on day three.
The men’s 28th seeds were forced to work hard in the heatwave conditions, twice having to fight back from a break point deficit in the second set. However, Popyrin showed his mettle by getting through in one hour and 48 minutes, with his stunning final set a statement to his rivals.
The 25-year-old Montreal Masters champion is yet to drop a set en route to the last 32, hitting 13 more aces on Wednesday. (Thursday AEST)
Chasing an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles crown, the second-seeded Djokovic will face fellow countryman Laslo Djere later in the men’s night, with the winner playing Popyrin for a place in the last 16.
Meanwhile, Popyrin’s compatriot Rinky Hijikata has been given a major reality check. Hijikata was no match for Grigor Dimitrov, who was beaten 6-1 6-1 7-6 (7-4) by the Bulgarian ninth seed and crashed out in the second round.
Former women’s quarter-finalist Ajla Tomljanovic and 18-year-old qualifier Maya Joint were also eliminated on the third day at Flushing Meadows.
With 10 players reaching the second round, Australia’s bumper 20-player event has had its best start to the Open in 45 years. The men in particular have been on fire, with eight Australians winning their opening matches for the first time since 1976 – almost half a century ago.
Hijikata reached the fourth round as a wildcard last year, but he knew he would have a tough time against Dimitrov, who is playing his best tennis at the age of 33. Hijikata could not have imagined, however, that he would win only two games in the first two sets.
The 23-year-old put up a stronger fight in the third set, but the former world number 3 eventually won in a time of two hours and ten minutes.
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Tomljanovic lost her second-round match 6-3 6-2 to 33rd-seeded Belgian Elise Mertens, while Joint’s breakthrough run in Grand Slams came to an end with a 6-4 6-0 defeat to 2017 runner-up Madison Keys.
“It was a competitive first set and I had my chances, but she played really well,” Joint said. “She definitely lifted in the second set and yeah, I don’t think I did anything wrong.”
Despite the defeat, Joint is expected to leave New York with a career-high of world No. 108 and is on course to qualify directly for the Australian Open in January after winning three qualifying matches and recording her first Grand Slam title.