Popyrin LIGHTS up Melbourne Park in huge upset

Popyrin LIGHTS up Melbourne Park in huge upset

Local wildcard Alexei Popyrin has claimed an enormous scalp, knocking out world No.9 Taylor Fritz to advance to the Australian Open third spherical for a 3rd time.

Popyrin’s new-found health paid big dividends as he backed up lower than 48 hours after a five-set marathon to supply one other stirring 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-2 win on Thursday.

The 23-year-old hammered 19 aces and dropped serve solely as soon as in an exhilarating and gruelling four-hour, two-minute check of bodily and psychological will towards the in-form eighth seed.