US Open: Jordan Thompson, Alexei Popyrin perform strongly at start of marathon day for Aussies

Jordan Thompson and Alexei Popyrin win at the start of a marathon day for Australians.

Jordan Thompson of Australia returns a shot against Joao Sousa of Portugal during their Men's Singles first round match on day two of the 2019 US Open.

Davis Cup teammates Jordan Thompson and Alexei Popyrin have performed strongly at the start of a marathon day for Australian hopefuls at the US Open.

Popyrin, an emerging talent, joined Australian spearhead Alex de Minaur in the second round when too strong for Federico Delbonis.

The 20-year-old was able to overcome a deficit in both the second and third sets when defeating the Argentine 6-1 7-5 7-6 (5) in 2 hours 4 minutes.

“I got off to a good start (and) played some of the best tennis I’ve played so far,” he said.

“It’s all just keeping that momentum and bringing it to the second set and I kind of let him off the hook a little bit, going down a break. But I regained composure and won that second set, which was very important.

“I wasn’t really in panic (mode). I always felt comfortable returning his serve. It was just one of those days (where) I always felt comfortable returning his serve and whenever I went down a break I thought would have an opportunity to get that break back and I did both times.”

Thompson, who made his first ATP Tour final in the Netherlands in the lead-in to Wimbledon, was polished from the baseline when beating Joao Sousa 6-3 6-2 6-4 in 2 hours 5 minutes.

Similarly to Popyrin, Thompson was delighted with how quickly he started against Sousa.

“I played really well from the get-go. That’s probably one of the best matches I’ve ever played,” he said. “I served pretty well, returned good … and executed the game plan, so I’m really happy to get through that one.”

The 55th ranked Thompson said he was not surprised the Italian had zoomed up the ranks after watching him play in 2018.

“He’s a big guy, big frame, good ball striker. (He) hits it big. I’ve got to be prepared to make a lot of balls,” he said. “I think last year I saw him play and I was amazed at how big his serve was and how big he is and how big he can hit the ball and he is a good player. There is no surprise how quickly he improved.”

The only Australian beaten today was Astra Sharma, who fell 6-3 6-4 on her US Open debut to Magda Linette.

The draw has potentially opened up for Popyrin, who has won at least a round at each major this year in his first full season on tour.

The 2017 French Open boys champion will know play Kazakh veteran Mikhail Kukushin after he ousted Wimbledon semi-finalist Roberta Bautista Agut 3-6 6-1 6-4 3-6 6-3.

Alexei Popyrin reacts against Federico Delbonis of Argentina during their Men's Singles first round match on day two of the 2019 US Open.

“Having played all main draws in grand slams and winning at least one round in all of them, it is something I didn’t expect at the start of the year and it is something that is a really good achievement for me,” Popyrin said.

“It is just proving that the hard work is paying off right now and hopefully it continues that way.”

Kukushkin, who is ranked 47, has only reached the last 16 once in 33 prior attempts at major level, though that came at Wimbledon this year.

He is an experienced all-court player and the Sydneysider is particularly mindful of the strength of his backhand.

“He has got a scary backhand. That down the line backhand is pretty scary to play against,” Popyrin said.

“He cuts it very well and he is just solid from the back, I reckon, and he has that slice serve which is tough to return a lot.

“It is going to be a difficult match, honestly, but if I play my game and if I play to the best of my ability, I am going to come out on top.”

Thompson will play Italian Matteo Berrettini, who has made great strides on the tour this year.

The 24th seed has claimed two ATP titles for the season, his successes coming in Stuttgart and Mudapest. He, too, reached the last 16 at Wimbledon but was well beaten by Roger Federer.

Thanasi Kokkinakis and Ajla Tomljanovic are due on court in the afternoon session before John Millman tackles Rafael Nadal on Arthur Ashe Stadium to kick start the night session at 9am AEST.

Nick Kyrgios could be on court about 11am AEST for his clash with powerful American Steve Johnson.

Australian semi-finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas is the biggest casualty to date, falling to Russian Andrey Rublev 6-4 6-7 (5) 7-6 (7) 7-5 in 3 hours 54 minutes.

Former French Open and Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza was beaten 2-6 6-1 6-3 by American Alison Riske, who ended Ash Barty’s winning streak in the Rd of 16 at the All England Club in July.