Fresh from career best win, Alexei Popyrin is confident of Open run

Alexei Popyrin, who is among the four Australian men in second round action on Thursday at Melbourne Park, believes he has added mental toughness in 2021.

Alexei Popyrin, celebrating his first round win on Tuesday, faces a tricky test against South African Lloyd Harris on Thursday. Picture: Michael Klein

After posting the most significant victory of his fledgling career on Tuesday, Alexei Popyrin is adamant he is ready to take another significant step forward at Melbourne Park.

The Sydneysider will face South African Lloyd Harris in the second round of the Australian Open on Thursday after a career-best victory over Belgian David Goffin on Tuesday.

Popyrin demonstrated immense resolve to topple the 13th seed when he reeled in a deficit to win 3-6 6-4 6-7 (4) 7-6 (8) 6-3.

A wildcard entrant, the 21-year-old has repeatedly demonstrated at major level that he has the capacity to enjoy a significant career given the weapons he possesses.

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In the infancy of his career, he has reached the third round of the Australian Open twice.

In his only visit to New York, the right-hander did the same when almost forcing a deciding set against Matteo Berrettini.

But he is determined to find the same consistency on the regular tour.

Popyrin, who is ranked 113, has played Harris twice for as many losses, including a straight-sets defeat at Roland Garros last October.

But the French-based Popyrin, who served quarantine on returning to Australia in January, is adamant he is mentally tougher now.

“He won both times, so I know it’s going to be a very difficult match for me,” he said.

“But I’m a different player. I’m a different player. I’m different mentally. I’m different with my game. It’s definitely going to be really, really tough.”

Popyrin is among the four Australian men in second round action on Thursday headed by 21st seed Alex de Minaur.

The Spanish-based de Minaur, whose father is from Uruguay, will play that nation’s top-ranked player Pablo Cuevas on Margaret Court Arena in a night session match.

It will be the first meeting between the pair, though de Minaur should be at an advantage given his rival served strict quarantine last month without being able to train.

Thanasi Kokkinakis, who is on the comeback trail, posted his first win in Melbourne since 2015 when beating Soon-woo Kwon 6-4 6-1 6-1 on Tuesday.

But he faces a considerably tougher second round.

The South Australian will play world No 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas, a semi-finalist in Melbourne in 2019 who demolished French veteran Gilles Simon 6-1 6-2 6-2 on Tuesday night.

Chris O’Connell posted a fine victory over German Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6 (2) 7-6 (5) 6-1.

He plays Radu Albot on Thursday afternoon and has an opportunity to post a career-best result at major level.