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 International within the first spherical.
Popyrin had an absolute shocker of a season final 12 months, 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 is at the moment ranked No. 120.
But arising towards 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 outcome was the third time Popyrin has claimed a win over a high 10 participant, however first in a outcome 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 Master in a primary set retirement in 2021.
“Pretty happy,” he mentioned. “Obviously an unbelievable feeling.
“I had a really tough season last year and to come out in the third match of the year for me because I had to come through qualifying, but first main draw match of the year and to beat a player of his quality just shows that the work I put into the off-season is paying off already at the start of the year.”
Popyrin mentioned he had been within the high 100 earlier than and claimed an ATP title up to now, including: “I’m only 23 so I have plenty of time.”
Although the loss shall be a blip on the radar for Auger-Aliassime in his first match of the 12 months, it’s big 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 troublesome 12 months off nevertheless, having fired 11 aces and bounced again from 4-1 down within the second set.
Tennis TV referred to as it: “A BREATHTAKING display”.
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.
