Alexei Popyrin turns tables in dominant win as another Djokovic blockbuster awaits

Rising Australian star Alexei Popyrin has reached the last 32 of the US Open for the third time after a dominant victory over Pedro Martinez.

Rising Australian star Alexei Popyrin has reached the last 32 of the US Open for the third time after a dominant victory over Pedro Martinez, a Spaniard who held the upper-hand in their rivarly until Wednesday’s walloping.

The 28th seed had fallen to Martinez on hard courts in Sydney and also Tokyo in 2022 but had no answer for the Australian at Flushing Meadows, with Popyrin progressing 6-2 6-4 6-0 in 1hr 49min. He had previously reached the third round in 2019 and 2021.

The prize for Popyrin, a recent winner of the Montreal Masters, is a potential third round clash against defending US Open champion and 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic should the Serbian win his clash later today in New York.

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 28: Alexei Popyrin of Australia returns a shot against Pedro Martinez Portero of Spain during their Men's Singles Second Round match on Day Three of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 28, 2024 in the Flushing neighbourhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Luke Hales/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Luke Hales / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

It would be the third time they have played this year at grand slam level. Djokovic has won both outings at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, but the 25-year-old showed in those matches that he had the capacity to test the legend.

At Melbourne Park in the second round, the pair split the first two sets before Djokovic clinched the pivotal third set in a tiebreaker when posting a 6-3 4-6 7-6 (4) 6-3 triumph. At Wimbledon, Popyrin pushed even harder when edged 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 (3).

Djokovic will play compatriot Laslo Djere, who gave him a massive scare in last year’s US Open when taking the first two sets in a second round clash, in the night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Popyrin said the Australian Open outing against the superstar gave him the confidence he could challenge the champion.

“I genuinely believe I could have won that match, if I had won that third set (at the Australian Open),” Popyrin said.

“I feel like I was in the driver’s seat and I felt super comfortable out there, and enjoyed every moment. (Djokovic) is a super-solid player, but I do feel he gives you chances every now and then in the points.”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 28: Alexei Popyrin of Australia returns a shot against Pedro Martinez Portero of Spain during their Men's Singles Second Round match on Day Three of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 28, 2024 in the Flushing neighbourhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

The Sydneysider was the only Australian to progress on the third day. Rinky Hijikata, who reached the fourth round last year, was outclassed early by No.9 seed Grigor Dimitrov and unable to rally late when beaten 6-1 6-1 7-6 (4).

Maya Joint, an 18-year-old raised in Michigan who is playing under the Australian flag, demonstrated her promise against former US Open finalist Madison Keys on Arthur Ashe Stadium before the experienced American proved too strong 6-4 6-0.

Former US Open quarterfinalist Ajla Tomljanovic was below her best form when beaten by the seeded Elise Mertens 6-3 6-2.

World No.10 Alex de Minaur leads the six Australian men in action on Day 4 of the US Open tomorrow.

More to come ...

Ain't no stopping Alexei ❤️‍🔥@AlexeiPopyrin99's rich vein of form continues as he seals in a spot in the third round, defeating Martinez 6-2 6-4 6-0. @usopen | #USOpenpic.twitter.com/R3EeZS2j2y

— ATP Tour (@atptour) August 28, 2024

Originally published as Alexei Popyrin turns tables in dominant win as another Djokovic blockbuster awaits