Alexei Popyrin did not have a good 2022. The Australian started the year as the world No 61 and ended it ranked 120th, knocked out in the opening round of every grand slam bar a second-round appearance at the US Open. His 2023 is already vastly improved, for on Thursday Popyrin pulled off one of the upsets of the Australian Open, defeating the eighth seed, Taylor Fritz, in five thrilling sets.
On a day of boilovers, including Casper Ruud’s shock exit at the hands of Jenson Brooksby, the 23-year-old ensured the same fate for Fritz, losing the first set before an almighty fightback to overcome the American world No 9 6-7 (4), 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-2.
When it was over, once he had endured a fifth set after missing out on match point in the fourth, the Sydneysider punched the air in an erupting John Cain Arena and announced himself to the world through streams of tears.
“You guys were just incredible. It’s just crazy, man,” a red-eyed Popyrin said. “I really couldn’t have done it without you guys. This win means so much to me. I had the toughest year last year, didn’t win many matches. I’ve won as many matches this year as I won the whole of last year and it’s only January.”
Popyrin entered the main draw at Melbourne Park as a wildcard to little expectation or attention, but set about unpicking last year’s Wimbledon quarter-finalist and putting on a serving clinic belying his No 113 ranking, sending down 19 aces to go with his 74 winners.
With the defending champion, Rafael Nadal, and Ruud , this result helps blow the men’s draw wide open. Having defeated Tseng Chun-hsin in the first round Popyrin will now turn his attention to another American, the world No 92, Ben Shelton.
“Pre-season I put my head down and worked as hard as a I possibly could,” Popyrin said, still crying. “I didn’t want that feeling that I had last year ever again. I love this feeling and I want more of this feeling. I want you guys to have this feeling more. This is a dream for me and I don’t want to wake up.”
Meanwhile, the dream is over for Kimberly Birrell, who lost her second-round match to the Czech Republic’s Linda Fruhvirtova, 6-3, 6-2.
Sam Stosur played the last women’s doubles match of her career when she and French partner, Alizé Cornet, lost their first-round encounter to Chan Hao-ching and Yang Zhaoxuan 6-3, 6-4. The 2011 US Open winner will embark on her final mixed doubles campaign alongside Matthew Ebden in the coming days.
“It was a really hard decision,” Stosur said. “I love playing, I love competing, I love playing in front of you guys. A crowd like this makes it feel strange you don’t want to do it any more, but you get to a point where the other things become a little more difficult.
“I’ve loved … my run travelling, playing, everything I’ve been able to do. I wanted to finish here at home. It’s bittersweet but thank you all for coming out here. It’s been really special.”
Later on Thursday evening, Alex de Minaur dug deep to defeat French veteran Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 and set up a third-round clash with Benjamin Bonzi, also from France.
De Minaur, Australia’s only seed, took motivation from Popyrin. “We’ve grown up together and he played a hell of a match,” he said. “He inspired me and I was glad I was able to pull through.”
