Buoyant Alexei Popyrin feels he can beat anybody after breaking new ground at the French Open - but he won't have to worry about taking down two-time finalist Casper Ruud in the next round after the Norwegian star's shock injury-hit exit.
Popyrin's early-year struggles felt like ancient history as he brightened up a gloomy day in Paris on a wet Wednesday to conquer Chile's Alejandro Tabilo 7-5 6-3 6-4 - and also beat the rain - to set up a third-round date at Roland Garros for the first time.
He had probably expected the last-32 contest to be against Casper Ruud, finalist in both 2022 and 2023, but the Norwegian dropped 13 of his last 14 games in a 2-6 6-4 6-1 6-0 defeat to Portugal's Nuno Borges while struggling with a left-knee injury.
