Australian Open: Alexei Popyrin to meet Novak Djokovic in second round

A young Australian star has earnt the chance to reprise his giant-killing antics from last year against Novak Djokovic.

Australian world No. 43 Alexei Popyrin will face Novak Djokovic in the second round at the Australian Open on Wednesday. Picture: Morgan Hancock / Getty Images

Australian world No. 43 Alexei Popyrin says he will enter his second-round showdown against Novak Djokovic with “full confidence” he can beat the Serbian superstar.

Popyrin dismantled countryman Marc Polmans in straight sets on Monday to set up the clash with the world No. 1, who will have an extra day to recover after beginning his Australian Open campaign on Sunday night.

The 24-year-old said he was not fussed by Djokovic getting a longer recovery ahead of the Wednesday night match, after he brushed aside his own injury concerns with the 6-3, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 victory on John Cain Arena.

Popyrin withdrew from the Adelaide International last week after a back issue troubled him in Brisbane, but showed no signs of discomfort as he slammed 57 winners to Polmans’ 22 along with 20 aces in a display of complete confidence in his body.

Novak Djokovic was frustrated early in his clash with 18-year-old Dino Prizmic and said he was ‘under the weather’ during the four-set bout. Picture: William West / AFP

“I think Sunday (tournament) starts are a 50-50 in the locker room for those who like it and those who don’t,” Popyrin said.

“(Djokovic) has got an extra day, he requested a Sunday start I’m sure … it is what it is.

“I was happy that I managed to get through in straight sets and I have the most amount of time to recover now and prepare for that match.”

Popyrin took a medical time-out after breaking Polmans in a gruelling 10-minute game during the third set, but he said the break was just to replace taping on his foot which had come unstuck in the hot conditions.

He said he admired Djokovic’s achievements and considered him tennis’ greatest ever player, but was adamant he had the “weapons” to counter the 10-time Australian Open champion.

The pair’s only meeting was on a hard court at the 2019 Japan Open where Djokovic claimed a 6-4, 6-2 victory.

“I admire what he’s done – he probably is the greatest of all time, but for me I need to have that confidence going in and the belief knowing that I can win the match and he is just the world No. 1, he is just another player for me on the other side of the net,” Popyrin said.

Popyrin smashed 56 winners as he downed fellow Australian Marc Polmans in straight sets in the opening round. Picture: Morgan Hancock / Getty Images

“I think there’s no point going onto the court if I don’t believe that I can (beat him).

“He is the greatest of all time in our sport … (but) I have big weapons in my game that I believe can do some damage.

“I’m going in with full confidence, and if I don’t go in there with that confidence, there’s no point going in there.”

It comes after Djokovic revealed he was battling illness leading into his clash against Croatian teen Dino Prizmic on Sunday night and said he felt “under the weather” following the four-set win.

“Look, it is what it is. You just have to try to deal with it and get over it and accept the circumstances and try to make the most of it,” Djokovic said after the win.

“I will discuss with my team tomorrow, see if I maybe skip practice tomorrow, tennis practice. Maybe do some light work, gym, jog, some specific exercises just to keep my body in shape.

“I mean, last year I haven’t practised in between any match really. It was different circumstances because I was injured. I think now with two days, it’s quite useful after playing four-hour opening round.”

Originally published as Australian Open: Alexei Popyrin to meet Novak Djokovic in second round