Australian tennis player Alexei Popyrin is optimistic about his chances at the French Open after the surprising exit of seventh seed Casper Ruud, which has opened up his side of the draw. Popyrin, who is the 25th seed in Paris, celebrated his advancement to the third round for the first time following a solid victory over Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo with a score of 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.
In the next round, Popyrin will face Portuguese player Nuno Borges, who progressed after Ruud was forced to retire due to a persistent knee injury. Ruud’s misfortune is seen as an opportunity for Popyrin, particularly given Ruud’s impressive track record as a two-time Roland-Garros finalist.
Popyrin expressed his enthusiasm about his recent performance, stating that it was likely his most consistent match of the year. He showcased impressive stats, including 37 winners, eight aces, and a 75% success rate on his first serves. Standing at 197cm, his height is a notable advantage, especially as he works on improving his movement with the assistance of his fitness coach, Evan Jenkins.
The match, however, had a brief hiccup when Popyrin faced an urgent need for a bathroom break in the third set, which he attributed to procrastination after the second set. Fortunately, a rain delay allowed him to resolve the situation without significantly impacting his game.
Ahead of facing Borges, Popyrin acknowledged the Portuguese player’s skills, noting that Borges has a powerful flat backhand that could pose challenges. He emphasised the importance of maintaining consistent performance, especially against players of varying ranks, stating that he believes he can compete with anyone when at his best.
Popyrin is one of four Australians remaining in the singles draw, joining compatriots Alex de Minaur, Adam Walton, and Daria Kasatkina, while Ajla Tomljanovic’s journey ended with a loss to Italy’s Jasmine Paolini.
Looking forward, Popyrin’s focus remains on delivering steady performances throughout the tournament, as he aims to leverage the momentum gained from his recent victories and the favourable changes in the tournament landscape.