Latest news with #Sydneysider
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Popyrin ready to crash through Paul's iron man barrier
Alexei Popyrin believes the lessons he gleaned after the best win of his soaring career over Novak Djokovic will stand him in good stead as he now shoots for his first grand slam quarter-final. But Australia's No.2 has dismissed the idea he'll have an advantage over his French Open fourth-round opponent Tommy Paul, who's had to battle through two successive gruelling five-setters, as he hailed the American iron man as one of the fittest players on tour. Popyrin had his finest grand slam moment when he beat the mighty Djokovic at the US Open last August in the third round, but couldn't back up that win when then bowing out to Frances Tiafoe in his first fourth-round date. But he fancies things are very different this time as he goes into the last-16 "feeling quite good" physically and mentally after winning his three matches in seven hours seven minutes, having spent over three-and-a-half hours less time on court than Paul. The rich Flushing Meadows experience, reckoned Popyrin, had been hugely valuable. "I know how I'm going to be feeling in the fourth round of a slam now," said the 25-year-old Sydneysider. Going into the fourth round against Tiafoe, I had no idea how I was going to feel, especially coming off a match like the third round against Novak. You get the emotional highs, then you top that off with the physical stress. "That's something I can kind of learn from, which I have. "But I'm feeling quite good, considering the circumstances of it being a fourth round of a slam, and hopefully I can keep feeling that way." He's taking little comfort from the fact that the seemingly tireless world No.12 Paul has played 14 sets over 10 hours and 45 minutes so far. "I think Tommy's one of the fittest guys on tour," said Popyrin. "The work he puts in the gym, and puts in off the court, I think he's only going to come out and play normal. For me, it's very important not to think about the fact that he's played two five-setters in a row. "I have to keep focusing on myself, on the way I've been playing for the last two weeks and trying to bring that consistent level again. That's the most important thing for me." North Carolinan Paul, at 28, is at the peak of his powers, and savours the idea of being the tennis iron man on court. Bring on the five-setters, his demeanour screams. "I work really hard off court and on court - we get after it, we feel kind of prepped for this kind of stuff," he said of going the distance. But Popyrin has serious weapons, he accepts, particularly with his serve ticking over so nicely he still hasn't dropped a set so far. "Everyone saw last year him in the Canadian Open win, he played unbelievable tennis there. That's what he's capable of. He can take the racquet out of your hand sometimes," shrugged Paul. "Hopefully, I can use the clay to my advantage and kind of slow things down a little bit. I'm just excited to play. I mean, this is grand slam tennis, this is why we play the sport." Alexei Popyrin believes the lessons he gleaned after the best win of his soaring career over Novak Djokovic will stand him in good stead as he now shoots for his first grand slam quarter-final. But Australia's No.2 has dismissed the idea he'll have an advantage over his French Open fourth-round opponent Tommy Paul, who's had to battle through two successive gruelling five-setters, as he hailed the American iron man as one of the fittest players on tour. Popyrin had his finest grand slam moment when he beat the mighty Djokovic at the US Open last August in the third round, but couldn't back up that win when then bowing out to Frances Tiafoe in his first fourth-round date. But he fancies things are very different this time as he goes into the last-16 "feeling quite good" physically and mentally after winning his three matches in seven hours seven minutes, having spent over three-and-a-half hours less time on court than Paul. The rich Flushing Meadows experience, reckoned Popyrin, had been hugely valuable. "I know how I'm going to be feeling in the fourth round of a slam now," said the 25-year-old Sydneysider. Going into the fourth round against Tiafoe, I had no idea how I was going to feel, especially coming off a match like the third round against Novak. You get the emotional highs, then you top that off with the physical stress. "That's something I can kind of learn from, which I have. "But I'm feeling quite good, considering the circumstances of it being a fourth round of a slam, and hopefully I can keep feeling that way." He's taking little comfort from the fact that the seemingly tireless world No.12 Paul has played 14 sets over 10 hours and 45 minutes so far. "I think Tommy's one of the fittest guys on tour," said Popyrin. "The work he puts in the gym, and puts in off the court, I think he's only going to come out and play normal. For me, it's very important not to think about the fact that he's played two five-setters in a row. "I have to keep focusing on myself, on the way I've been playing for the last two weeks and trying to bring that consistent level again. That's the most important thing for me." North Carolinan Paul, at 28, is at the peak of his powers, and savours the idea of being the tennis iron man on court. Bring on the five-setters, his demeanour screams. "I work really hard off court and on court - we get after it, we feel kind of prepped for this kind of stuff," he said of going the distance. But Popyrin has serious weapons, he accepts, particularly with his serve ticking over so nicely he still hasn't dropped a set so far. "Everyone saw last year him in the Canadian Open win, he played unbelievable tennis there. That's what he's capable of. He can take the racquet out of your hand sometimes," shrugged Paul. "Hopefully, I can use the clay to my advantage and kind of slow things down a little bit. I'm just excited to play. I mean, this is grand slam tennis, this is why we play the sport." Alexei Popyrin believes the lessons he gleaned after the best win of his soaring career over Novak Djokovic will stand him in good stead as he now shoots for his first grand slam quarter-final. But Australia's No.2 has dismissed the idea he'll have an advantage over his French Open fourth-round opponent Tommy Paul, who's had to battle through two successive gruelling five-setters, as he hailed the American iron man as one of the fittest players on tour. Popyrin had his finest grand slam moment when he beat the mighty Djokovic at the US Open last August in the third round, but couldn't back up that win when then bowing out to Frances Tiafoe in his first fourth-round date. But he fancies things are very different this time as he goes into the last-16 "feeling quite good" physically and mentally after winning his three matches in seven hours seven minutes, having spent over three-and-a-half hours less time on court than Paul. The rich Flushing Meadows experience, reckoned Popyrin, had been hugely valuable. "I know how I'm going to be feeling in the fourth round of a slam now," said the 25-year-old Sydneysider. Going into the fourth round against Tiafoe, I had no idea how I was going to feel, especially coming off a match like the third round against Novak. You get the emotional highs, then you top that off with the physical stress. "That's something I can kind of learn from, which I have. "But I'm feeling quite good, considering the circumstances of it being a fourth round of a slam, and hopefully I can keep feeling that way." He's taking little comfort from the fact that the seemingly tireless world No.12 Paul has played 14 sets over 10 hours and 45 minutes so far. "I think Tommy's one of the fittest guys on tour," said Popyrin. "The work he puts in the gym, and puts in off the court, I think he's only going to come out and play normal. For me, it's very important not to think about the fact that he's played two five-setters in a row. "I have to keep focusing on myself, on the way I've been playing for the last two weeks and trying to bring that consistent level again. That's the most important thing for me." North Carolinan Paul, at 28, is at the peak of his powers, and savours the idea of being the tennis iron man on court. Bring on the five-setters, his demeanour screams. "I work really hard off court and on court - we get after it, we feel kind of prepped for this kind of stuff," he said of going the distance. But Popyrin has serious weapons, he accepts, particularly with his serve ticking over so nicely he still hasn't dropped a set so far. "Everyone saw last year him in the Canadian Open win, he played unbelievable tennis there. That's what he's capable of. He can take the racquet out of your hand sometimes," shrugged Paul. "Hopefully, I can use the clay to my advantage and kind of slow things down a little bit. I'm just excited to play. I mean, this is grand slam tennis, this is why we play the sport." Alexei Popyrin believes the lessons he gleaned after the best win of his soaring career over Novak Djokovic will stand him in good stead as he now shoots for his first grand slam quarter-final. But Australia's No.2 has dismissed the idea he'll have an advantage over his French Open fourth-round opponent Tommy Paul, who's had to battle through two successive gruelling five-setters, as he hailed the American iron man as one of the fittest players on tour. Popyrin had his finest grand slam moment when he beat the mighty Djokovic at the US Open last August in the third round, but couldn't back up that win when then bowing out to Frances Tiafoe in his first fourth-round date. But he fancies things are very different this time as he goes into the last-16 "feeling quite good" physically and mentally after winning his three matches in seven hours seven minutes, having spent over three-and-a-half hours less time on court than Paul. The rich Flushing Meadows experience, reckoned Popyrin, had been hugely valuable. "I know how I'm going to be feeling in the fourth round of a slam now," said the 25-year-old Sydneysider. Going into the fourth round against Tiafoe, I had no idea how I was going to feel, especially coming off a match like the third round against Novak. You get the emotional highs, then you top that off with the physical stress. "That's something I can kind of learn from, which I have. "But I'm feeling quite good, considering the circumstances of it being a fourth round of a slam, and hopefully I can keep feeling that way." He's taking little comfort from the fact that the seemingly tireless world No.12 Paul has played 14 sets over 10 hours and 45 minutes so far. "I think Tommy's one of the fittest guys on tour," said Popyrin. "The work he puts in the gym, and puts in off the court, I think he's only going to come out and play normal. For me, it's very important not to think about the fact that he's played two five-setters in a row. "I have to keep focusing on myself, on the way I've been playing for the last two weeks and trying to bring that consistent level again. That's the most important thing for me." North Carolinan Paul, at 28, is at the peak of his powers, and savours the idea of being the tennis iron man on court. Bring on the five-setters, his demeanour screams. "I work really hard off court and on court - we get after it, we feel kind of prepped for this kind of stuff," he said of going the distance. But Popyrin has serious weapons, he accepts, particularly with his serve ticking over so nicely he still hasn't dropped a set so far. "Everyone saw last year him in the Canadian Open win, he played unbelievable tennis there. That's what he's capable of. He can take the racquet out of your hand sometimes," shrugged Paul. "Hopefully, I can use the clay to my advantage and kind of slow things down a little bit. I'm just excited to play. I mean, this is grand slam tennis, this is why we play the sport."
West Australian
an hour ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Popyrin ready to crash through Paul's iron man barrier
Alexei Popyrin believes the lessons he gleaned after the best win of his soaring career over Novak Djokovic will stand him in good stead as he now shoots for his first grand slam quarter-final. But Australia's No.2 has dismissed the idea he'll have an advantage over his French Open fourth-round opponent Tommy Paul, who's had to battle through two successive gruelling five-setters, as he hailed the American iron man as one of the fittest players on tour. Popyrin had his finest grand slam moment when he beat the mighty Djokovic at the US Open last August in the third round, but couldn't back up that win when then bowing out to Frances Tiafoe in his first fourth-round date. But he fancies things are very different this time as he goes into the last-16 "feeling quite good" physically and mentally after winning his three matches in seven hours seven minutes, having spent over three-and-a-half hours less time on court than Paul. The rich Flushing Meadows experience, reckoned Popyrin, had been hugely valuable. "I know how I'm going to be feeling in the fourth round of a slam now," said the 25-year-old Sydneysider. Going into the fourth round against Tiafoe, I had no idea how I was going to feel, especially coming off a match like the third round against Novak. You get the emotional highs, then you top that off with the physical stress. "That's something I can kind of learn from, which I have. "But I'm feeling quite good, considering the circumstances of it being a fourth round of a slam, and hopefully I can keep feeling that way." He's taking little comfort from the fact that the seemingly tireless world No.12 Paul has played 14 sets over 10 hours and 45 minutes so far. "I think Tommy's one of the fittest guys on tour," said Popyrin. "The work he puts in the gym, and puts in off the court, I think he's only going to come out and play normal. For me, it's very important not to think about the fact that he's played two five-setters in a row. "I have to keep focusing on myself, on the way I've been playing for the last two weeks and trying to bring that consistent level again. That's the most important thing for me." North Carolinan Paul, at 28, is at the peak of his powers, and savours the idea of being the tennis iron man on court. Bring on the five-setters, his demeanour screams. "I work really hard off court and on court - we get after it, we feel kind of prepped for this kind of stuff," he said of going the distance. But Popyrin has serious weapons, he accepts, particularly with his serve ticking over so nicely he still hasn't dropped a set so far. "Everyone saw last year him in the Canadian Open win, he played unbelievable tennis there. That's what he's capable of. He can take the racquet out of your hand sometimes," shrugged Paul. "Hopefully, I can use the clay to my advantage and kind of slow things down a little bit. I'm just excited to play. I mean, this is grand slam tennis, this is why we play the sport."
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Popyrin ready to crash through Paul's iron man barrier
Alexei Popyrin believes the lessons he gleaned after the best win of his soaring career over Novak Djokovic will stand him in good stead as he now shoots for his first grand slam quarter-final. But Australia's No.2 has dismissed the idea he'll have an advantage over his French Open fourth-round opponent Tommy Paul, who's had to battle through two successive gruelling five-setters, as he hailed the American iron man as one of the fittest players on tour. Popyrin had his finest grand slam moment when he beat the mighty Djokovic at the US Open last August in the third round, but couldn't back up that win when then bowing out to Frances Tiafoe in his first fourth-round date. But he fancies things are very different this time as he goes into the last-16 "feeling quite good" physically and mentally after winning his three matches in seven hours seven minutes, having spent over three-and-a-half hours less time on court than Paul. The rich Flushing Meadows experience, reckoned Popyrin, had been hugely valuable. "I know how I'm going to be feeling in the fourth round of a slam now," said the 25-year-old Sydneysider. Going into the fourth round against Tiafoe, I had no idea how I was going to feel, especially coming off a match like the third round against Novak. You get the emotional highs, then you top that off with the physical stress. "That's something I can kind of learn from, which I have. "But I'm feeling quite good, considering the circumstances of it being a fourth round of a slam, and hopefully I can keep feeling that way." He's taking little comfort from the fact that the seemingly tireless world No.12 Paul has played 14 sets over 10 hours and 45 minutes so far. "I think Tommy's one of the fittest guys on tour," said Popyrin. "The work he puts in the gym, and puts in off the court, I think he's only going to come out and play normal. For me, it's very important not to think about the fact that he's played two five-setters in a row. "I have to keep focusing on myself, on the way I've been playing for the last two weeks and trying to bring that consistent level again. That's the most important thing for me." North Carolinan Paul, at 28, is at the peak of his powers, and savours the idea of being the tennis iron man on court. Bring on the five-setters, his demeanour screams. "I work really hard off court and on court - we get after it, we feel kind of prepped for this kind of stuff," he said of going the distance. But Popyrin has serious weapons, he accepts, particularly with his serve ticking over so nicely he still hasn't dropped a set so far. "Everyone saw last year him in the Canadian Open win, he played unbelievable tennis there. That's what he's capable of. He can take the racquet out of your hand sometimes," shrugged Paul. "Hopefully, I can use the clay to my advantage and kind of slow things down a little bit. I'm just excited to play. I mean, this is grand slam tennis, this is why we play the sport."
West Australian
a day ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Popyrin makes Aussies smile in Paris after Demon exit
Alexei Popyrin has ensured there was no hangover from Alex de Minaur's early exit as he got hot on a baking Paris day to reach the last-16 of the French Open with a touch of swagger and a sprinkling of good old-fashioned Aussie grit. The country's No.2 player isn't now just the last man standing in the draw but the last man positively thriving as he downed quality Portuguese Nuno Borges 6-4 7-6 (13-11) 7-6 (7-5) in the Court 14 furnace at Roland Garros to reach the last-16 on Friday. Ultimately, he may have perhaps made harder work of it than he should but after a tough three-hour duel, 25th seed Popyrin still hasn't dropped a set yet in the championships. The second time in the fourth round at a grand slam, Popyrin joins an illustrious list of his compatriots to have made it this far on the Paris clay since the turn of the Millennium alongside Mark Philippoussis (2000), Wayne Arthurs (2001), Lleyton Hewitt (2000-02, 2004, 2006-07) and Alex de Minaur (2024). The courts hardening and speeding up in the sunshine certainly suited the big serving Popyrin as he produced a strikingly impressive opening behind his powerful delivery, dropping just three points behind it in the opening set -- but from then on it got more complicated. The Sydneysider seemed in complete control when he broke Borges again in the middle of the second set, his serve still ticking along nicely, but from that point, he found it tough to seal the set. He had a set point on Borges' serve at 3-5 which was repelled, then twice served for the stanza only to produce his first two really error-prone games. It came down to who could hold their nerve best in a dog-fight of a tiebreak. Borges earned a couple of set points and Popyrin four more, before finally on the sixth attempt to wrap it up after 72 minutes, he profited from the Portuguese finally crashing a backhand long. Popyrin's relief was palpable and the pressure cranked up on Borges, who found himself having to save two match points at 4-5 before dragging the match into another tiebreak. Popyrin powered into a 6-2 lead in the tiebreak only for Borges to doggedly save three more until the No.25 seed finally delivered one more irretrievable serve to prevail in just a minute over three hours. It sets up an even more difficult date in the fourth round for the 25-year-old against Russian 24th seed Karen Khachanov or American 12th seed Tommy Paul, who were locked in a five-set battle on Court Simonne-Mathieu.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Popyrin makes Aussies smile in Paris after Demon exit
Alexei Popyrin has ensured there was no hangover from Alex de Minaur's early exit as he got hot on a baking Paris day to reach the last-16 of the French Open with a touch of swagger and a sprinkling of good old-fashioned Aussie grit. The country's No.2 player isn't now just the last man standing in the draw but the last man positively thriving as he downed quality Portuguese Nuno Borges 6-4 7-6 (13-11) 7-6 (7-5) in the Court 14 furnace at Roland Garros to reach the last-16 on Friday. Ultimately, he may have perhaps made harder work of it than he should but after a tough three-hour duel, 25th seed Popyrin still hasn't dropped a set yet in the championships. The second time in the fourth round at a grand slam, Popyrin joins an illustrious list of his compatriots to have made it this far on the Paris clay since the turn of the Millennium alongside Mark Philippoussis (2000), Wayne Arthurs (2001), Lleyton Hewitt (2000-02, 2004, 2006-07) and Alex de Minaur (2024). The courts hardening and speeding up in the sunshine certainly suited the big serving Popyrin as he produced a strikingly impressive opening behind his powerful delivery, dropping just three points behind it in the opening set -- but from then on it got more complicated. The Sydneysider seemed in complete control when he broke Borges again in the middle of the second set, his serve still ticking along nicely, but from that point, he found it tough to seal the set. He had a set point on Borges' serve at 3-5 which was repelled, then twice served for the stanza only to produce his first two really error-prone games. It came down to who could hold their nerve best in a dog-fight of a tiebreak. Borges earned a couple of set points and Popyrin four more, before finally on the sixth attempt to wrap it up after 72 minutes, he profited from the Portuguese finally crashing a backhand long. Popyrin's relief was palpable and the pressure cranked up on Borges, who found himself having to save two match points at 4-5 before dragging the match into another tiebreak. Popyrin powered into a 6-2 lead in the tiebreak only for Borges to doggedly save three more until the No.25 seed finally delivered one more irretrievable serve to prevail in just a minute over three hours. It sets up an even more difficult date in the fourth round for the 25-year-old against Russian 24th seed Karen Khachanov or American 12th seed Tommy Paul, who were locked in a five-set battle on Court Simonne-Mathieu. Alexei Popyrin has ensured there was no hangover from Alex de Minaur's early exit as he got hot on a baking Paris day to reach the last-16 of the French Open with a touch of swagger and a sprinkling of good old-fashioned Aussie grit. The country's No.2 player isn't now just the last man standing in the draw but the last man positively thriving as he downed quality Portuguese Nuno Borges 6-4 7-6 (13-11) 7-6 (7-5) in the Court 14 furnace at Roland Garros to reach the last-16 on Friday. Ultimately, he may have perhaps made harder work of it than he should but after a tough three-hour duel, 25th seed Popyrin still hasn't dropped a set yet in the championships. The second time in the fourth round at a grand slam, Popyrin joins an illustrious list of his compatriots to have made it this far on the Paris clay since the turn of the Millennium alongside Mark Philippoussis (2000), Wayne Arthurs (2001), Lleyton Hewitt (2000-02, 2004, 2006-07) and Alex de Minaur (2024). The courts hardening and speeding up in the sunshine certainly suited the big serving Popyrin as he produced a strikingly impressive opening behind his powerful delivery, dropping just three points behind it in the opening set -- but from then on it got more complicated. The Sydneysider seemed in complete control when he broke Borges again in the middle of the second set, his serve still ticking along nicely, but from that point, he found it tough to seal the set. He had a set point on Borges' serve at 3-5 which was repelled, then twice served for the stanza only to produce his first two really error-prone games. It came down to who could hold their nerve best in a dog-fight of a tiebreak. Borges earned a couple of set points and Popyrin four more, before finally on the sixth attempt to wrap it up after 72 minutes, he profited from the Portuguese finally crashing a backhand long. Popyrin's relief was palpable and the pressure cranked up on Borges, who found himself having to save two match points at 4-5 before dragging the match into another tiebreak. Popyrin powered into a 6-2 lead in the tiebreak only for Borges to doggedly save three more until the No.25 seed finally delivered one more irretrievable serve to prevail in just a minute over three hours. It sets up an even more difficult date in the fourth round for the 25-year-old against Russian 24th seed Karen Khachanov or American 12th seed Tommy Paul, who were locked in a five-set battle on Court Simonne-Mathieu. Alexei Popyrin has ensured there was no hangover from Alex de Minaur's early exit as he got hot on a baking Paris day to reach the last-16 of the French Open with a touch of swagger and a sprinkling of good old-fashioned Aussie grit. The country's No.2 player isn't now just the last man standing in the draw but the last man positively thriving as he downed quality Portuguese Nuno Borges 6-4 7-6 (13-11) 7-6 (7-5) in the Court 14 furnace at Roland Garros to reach the last-16 on Friday. Ultimately, he may have perhaps made harder work of it than he should but after a tough three-hour duel, 25th seed Popyrin still hasn't dropped a set yet in the championships. The second time in the fourth round at a grand slam, Popyrin joins an illustrious list of his compatriots to have made it this far on the Paris clay since the turn of the Millennium alongside Mark Philippoussis (2000), Wayne Arthurs (2001), Lleyton Hewitt (2000-02, 2004, 2006-07) and Alex de Minaur (2024). The courts hardening and speeding up in the sunshine certainly suited the big serving Popyrin as he produced a strikingly impressive opening behind his powerful delivery, dropping just three points behind it in the opening set -- but from then on it got more complicated. The Sydneysider seemed in complete control when he broke Borges again in the middle of the second set, his serve still ticking along nicely, but from that point, he found it tough to seal the set. He had a set point on Borges' serve at 3-5 which was repelled, then twice served for the stanza only to produce his first two really error-prone games. It came down to who could hold their nerve best in a dog-fight of a tiebreak. Borges earned a couple of set points and Popyrin four more, before finally on the sixth attempt to wrap it up after 72 minutes, he profited from the Portuguese finally crashing a backhand long. Popyrin's relief was palpable and the pressure cranked up on Borges, who found himself having to save two match points at 4-5 before dragging the match into another tiebreak. Popyrin powered into a 6-2 lead in the tiebreak only for Borges to doggedly save three more until the No.25 seed finally delivered one more irretrievable serve to prevail in just a minute over three hours. It sets up an even more difficult date in the fourth round for the 25-year-old against Russian 24th seed Karen Khachanov or American 12th seed Tommy Paul, who were locked in a five-set battle on Court Simonne-Mathieu. Alexei Popyrin has ensured there was no hangover from Alex de Minaur's early exit as he got hot on a baking Paris day to reach the last-16 of the French Open with a touch of swagger and a sprinkling of good old-fashioned Aussie grit. The country's No.2 player isn't now just the last man standing in the draw but the last man positively thriving as he downed quality Portuguese Nuno Borges 6-4 7-6 (13-11) 7-6 (7-5) in the Court 14 furnace at Roland Garros to reach the last-16 on Friday. Ultimately, he may have perhaps made harder work of it than he should but after a tough three-hour duel, 25th seed Popyrin still hasn't dropped a set yet in the championships. The second time in the fourth round at a grand slam, Popyrin joins an illustrious list of his compatriots to have made it this far on the Paris clay since the turn of the Millennium alongside Mark Philippoussis (2000), Wayne Arthurs (2001), Lleyton Hewitt (2000-02, 2004, 2006-07) and Alex de Minaur (2024). The courts hardening and speeding up in the sunshine certainly suited the big serving Popyrin as he produced a strikingly impressive opening behind his powerful delivery, dropping just three points behind it in the opening set -- but from then on it got more complicated. The Sydneysider seemed in complete control when he broke Borges again in the middle of the second set, his serve still ticking along nicely, but from that point, he found it tough to seal the set. He had a set point on Borges' serve at 3-5 which was repelled, then twice served for the stanza only to produce his first two really error-prone games. It came down to who could hold their nerve best in a dog-fight of a tiebreak. Borges earned a couple of set points and Popyrin four more, before finally on the sixth attempt to wrap it up after 72 minutes, he profited from the Portuguese finally crashing a backhand long. Popyrin's relief was palpable and the pressure cranked up on Borges, who found himself having to save two match points at 4-5 before dragging the match into another tiebreak. Popyrin powered into a 6-2 lead in the tiebreak only for Borges to doggedly save three more until the No.25 seed finally delivered one more irretrievable serve to prevail in just a minute over three hours. It sets up an even more difficult date in the fourth round for the 25-year-old against Russian 24th seed Karen Khachanov or American 12th seed Tommy Paul, who were locked in a five-set battle on Court Simonne-Mathieu.
