Aussie tennis gun Alexei Popyrin has claimed the largest scalp of his younger profession, knocking World No. 6 Felix Auger-Aliassime out of the Adelaide Worldwide within the first spherical.
Popyrin had an absolute shocker of a season final yr, profitable simply 5 from 22 matchers on the ATP Tour and dropping from a profession excessive of World No. 59 to a low of World No. 131.
He’s presently ranked No. 120.
However developing in opposition to the 2022 Australian Open quarterfinalist and second seed, Popyrin made quick work of the Canadian in a 6-4 7-6 win in Adelaide.
The consequence was the third time Popyrin has claimed a win over a prime 10 participant, however first in a consequence that was a retirement. He beforehand had wins over then World No. 8 Dominic Thiem on the 2019 Australian Open after the Austrian retired injured within the third set, after which World No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas on the Paris Grasp in a primary set retirement in 2021.
“Fairly comfortable,” he stated. “Clearly an unbelievable feeling.
“I had a very powerful season final yr and to return out within the third match of the yr for me as a result of I needed to come by way of qualifying, however first primary draw match of the yr and to beat a participant of his high quality simply reveals that the work I put into the low season is paying off already in the beginning of the yr.”
Popyrin stated he had been within the prime 100 earlier than and claimed an ATP title up to now, including: “I’m solely 23 so I’ve loads of time.”
Though the loss will probably be a blip on the radar for Auger-Aliassime in his first match of the yr, it’s enormous for Popyrin.
The Aussie did play in all 4 grand slams final season however was out within the first spherical of all however the US Open the place he was bundled out within the second spherical.
Popyrin had shrugged the tough yr off nonetheless, having fired 11 aces and bounced again from 4-1 down within the second set.
Tennis TV known as it: “A BREATHTAKING show”.
It wasn’t the one upset of the day both as fifth seed and World No. 11 Holger Rune was ousted Yoshihito Nishioka 2-6 6-4 6-4.
