First it was Jordan Thompson, now it is the flip of Alexei Popyrin in Tokyo.
One day after Thompson eradicated world No.2 Alexander Zverev to throw the Japan Open huge open, Popyrin proved to be one other giantkiller when he despatched the seventh-ranked Karen Khachanov packing.
Popyrin defeated the Russian 6-4 6-2 on Tuesday to succeed in the final 16 of the ATP event.
It was a commanding efficiency from the 24-year-old Sydneysider who dished out 11 aces to Khachanov’s seven, and received 90 per cent of his first serves.
He transformed 4 out of 10 break-point alternatives whereas solely shedding serve as soon as.
Popyrin will now meet Chilean Christian Garin, who overcame Sho Shimabukuro 6-4 3-6 6-3, for a berth within the quarter-finals.
And becoming a member of compatriots Thompson and Popyrin within the spherical of 16 is Alex de Minaur.
But Australia’s top-ranked participant did not have issues his personal method towards a spirited Jack Draper, because the pair battled for 3 hours and 5 minutes.
The event No.4 seed dropped the primary 6-4, however then topped the Briton with two gritty efforts in tiebreakers profitable 7-4 and 7-1.
De Minaur now takes on Argentinian Diego Schwartzman, who beat countryman Francisco Cerundolo 6-4 6-1, for a spot within the final eight.
Thompson will now meet in-form American left-hander Ben Shelton, who trumped native qualifier Taro Daniel 3-6 6-4 7-6 (7-2), within the subsequent spherical.
Top-seeded American Taylor Fritz emerged unscathed in his encounter with Cameron Norrie, severing 13 aces on his method to beating him 6-3 6-3.
The 25-year-old American will subsequent play Japanese wildcard Shintaro Mochizuki, who beat Tomas Martin Etcheverry in straight units.
Casper Ruud, the No.2 seed, defeated one other Japanese wildcard, Yosuke Watanuki, 7-6 (10-8) 6-3. Rudd subsequent faces American participant Marcus Giron.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
