Australian Open 2023: Alexei Popyrin knocked out in third round

Alexei Popyrin has come crashing back down to earth, falling to Ben Shelton in the third round of the Australian Open. It simply didn’t go to plan for the young Aussie from the outset.

Alexei Popyrin in action. Picture: Michael Klein

It took 10 hours, 28 minutes and seven seven tiebreaks … but finally Alexei went Pop.

Australian wildcard Alexei Popyrin enjoyed a wild run to the third round at Melbourne Park until he was stopped in his tracks on Saturday night by a little-known American with a big future.

Big-serving Ben Shelton – who had to organise a passport for his first trip outside the United States – owns the fastest serve of the tournament (228km) and unleashed plenty of firepower that blunted Popyrin’s game.

This wasn’t a case of Popyrin underperforming after his breakout victory against No.8 seed Taylor Fritz.

Alexei Popyrin couldn’t continue his Australian Open fairytale run. Picture: Michael Klein

Instead it was a case of Shelton stamping himself on the circuit as the newcomer to watch.

“Honestly, if this is the way he plays day in and day out, the guy is top 10 in six months,” Popyrin declared after the 6-3 7-6 6-4 defeat.

“Maybe he can play better than he did today, but if he plays like he played today he is a force to be reckoned with.

“He hit the lines. He averages second serves at 190. Not much you can do in terms of attacking a second serve. It makes it even harder that he’s a lefty.

“I don’t think I did much wrong.”

Popyrin felt the most nervous he had been walking on to John Cain Arena whereas Shelton coolly strutted out to loud boos that were drowned out by his big headphones.

He looked at home on the Saturday night primetime stage.

Now in his second slam appearance he is into the last 16, joining fellow Americans Sebastian Korda, Tommy Paul and JJ Wolf.

Suddenly, the kid who was ranked about 550 in the world and playing college tennis last year will meet close mate Wolf on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals.

Ben Shelton was in fine form tonight. Picture: Getty Images

It was a golden chance for Popyrin who was hoping to go on a hot streak against the resurgent Americans.

Popyrin blasted out Fritz on Thursday and wins against Shelton and Wolf would’ve parachuted him to the front of Australian tennis as a home quarter-finalist.

Popyrin’s parents were on standby to jet to Melbourne for a potential fourth-round match. Instead the country will look to Alex de Minaur to fly the flag in the second week.

Shelton blushed when Jim Courier asked him on the court what ranking he was hoping to achieve.

“I would’ve been happy with anything in the top 100. It’s definitely a pinch-me moment going to the fourth round,” he said.

The Florida-raised kid is instead bound for the top 50, and maybe even higher as a rising star, who suddenly has the world at his feet.