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Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Back to drawing board for Popyrin in Paris anti-climax
Alexei Popyrin admits it's back to the drawing board in the search for big-time tennis consistency after his encouraging French Open week ended in anti-climax with a chastening lesson at the hands of American iron man Tommy Paul. The last Australian man standing at Roland Garros wasn't about to hide his disappointment after the crushing 6-3 6-3 6-3 hammering by No.12 seed Paul but Popyrin could at least be enthused about a run which took him to the last-16 again, his best Paris outing yet. But after admitting he'd ended his tournament feeling "mentally fried" while Paul, even after two back-to-back draining five-setters, still looked as fresh as a daisy, Australia's No.2 reckoned he would be back feverishly working with his team to discover the match-by-match consistency that still eludes him. Tremendous in his third-round win over Nuno Borges, this time Popyrin was mistake-riddled, coughing up 37 unforced errors and wild on the forehand while his backhand, which he's reworked successfully under new co-coach Wayne Ferreira, completely misfired. "I'm definitely happy with my week's work, just disappointed with the way it ended," shrugged the 25-year-old Sydneysider. "Look, if I lost this match and I played good tennis then, then I would have been sufficed and happy, but I lost and didn't play my best, really didn't do what I wanted to do, what I've been what I've been banging on about all week, consistency. "There was no consistency today, it was a very, very up-and-down match. And it was just not the way I planned for it." Outplayed in all departments, it felt like a huge let down for the 25th seed who had been hoping to go at least one round further than last year's US Open when he downed Novak Djokovic before falling in the last-16 to Frances Tiafoe. His exit in nine minutes under two hours meant Daria Kasatkina, in her first slam since gaining permanent residency, is now the last Australian standing, as she faces Russian teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva in Monday's last-16 women's clash. 👊👊👊 for winners!#RolandGarros — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 1, 2025 Popyrin had harboured high hopes after not dropping a set in his first three contests, and all started swimmingly as he broke the 28-year-old Paul in the opening game. Alas, that was as good as it got for him. The American, renowned for his toughness, saved the rest of the 10 break points he faced throughout, never allowing the Australian to gain a foothold. "He just played a tactically spot-on match. If you want to beat me, that's the way to play. He managed to break down my backhand somehow and we're gonna have to go back watch that and figure out why, and then we'll work on it," sighed Popyrin. "He played really, really well, I didn't bring my best level, but I still had chances in the first and second sets ... but he played a great match." Any chance of a comeback was soon extinguished when Paul, for a third set running, struck with an early break, and Popyrin cut a forlorn figure by the time a 26th Paul winner flashed by him on the final point. He's the first American man in the quarter-finals here since Andre Agassi in 2003 and Popyrin feels Paul is a live contender as he plays either compatriot Ben Shelton or the reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarters. As for his own progress, he's encouraged about getting on to the grass which, in theory at least, should aid his big weapons.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Alexei Popyrin joins Lleyton Hewitt in epic French Open feat after de Minaur surprise
Alexei Popyrin has become just the third Aussie to reach the fourth round of the French Open since the turn of the millennium as he continues his Paris renaissance as the final Australian star standing. Popyrin became the only Aussie player at Roland Garros to reach the fourth round after defeating Nuno Borges 6-4 7-6 7-6. Popyrin is yet to drop a set in Paris and his new-and-improved backhand under co-coach Wayne Ferreira has helped him thrive at the tournament he once excelled at as a junior. But even Popyrin was surprised to be the only Aussie male into the fourth round after Alex de Minaur was stunned a day earlier in a five-set capitulation at the hands of Alexander Bublik. "We all expected Demon to be in the fourth round," Popyrin said after standing as the lone Aussie in the draw. "I don't think I could have thought that - Alex is probably the most consistent player on tour - but that's the case now. I'm only focusing on myself. I want to keep going as far as I can, that's all I'm thinking." And Popyrin's feat has now seen him join some Aussie tennis legends having reached the fourth round at the French Open. Only 10 Aussie men have ever reached the fourth round or beyond and only three others have achieved this feat since 2000. De Minaur made a career-best run last year when he made it to the quarter-final, while Aussie tennis icon Hewitt achieved the feat six times in his career. The latest coming back in 2007. And the only other Aussie to reach the fourth round at Roland Garros in that time period was Wayne Arthurs back in 2001. Others to have achieved this feat are Pat Rafter and Pat Cash. Popyrin can equal de Minaur's career-best run with a win over American No.12 seed Tommy Paul in the next round. Popyrin is just the 10th Aussie man to make the French Open 4th round in the last 40 years! Others have been: Popyrin 2025De Minaur 2024Hewitt 00,01,02,04,06,07Arthurs 01Stoltenberg 98Woodforde 97Philippoussis 97, 00Draper 95, 96Rafter 94, 97Cash 88#RolandGarros — Dale Roberts (@ozdale) May 30, 2025 Popyrin admitted it was hot out on court in the Paris sun, but the sun was adnatageous for the big-serving Aussie who only dropped three points on his delivery in the opening set. And Popyrin admitted he gained plenty of confidence after winning both tiebreakers to keep the match to three sets. "It was a really good match from my point. Happy I wrapped it up in three sets. It's really hot out there, really difficult conditions," said Popyrin. "I played the first set-and-a-half really, really solid, how I've been playing all week, but had a bit of a mental slip-up at the end of the second but managed to dig deep in the tiebreak. "The third set was more a mental battle than a physical battle on my side trying to hold serve, and then trying to get opportunities on his return, which I had towards the end. But still managed to kind of keep my head and still play well in the tiebreak." Popyrin is hoping some similar conditions can help him use his serve against Paul in the next round with the 2018 Roland Garros junior champion aware he can use the clay to his advantage. Although the American claimed he will be ready to slow things down against the Aussie in the next round. "He played unbelievable tennis there (in the Canadian Open last year). That's what he's capable of. He can take the racquet out of your hand sometimes," Paul said. "Hopefully, I can use the clay to my advantage and kind of slow things down a little bit."
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'Popportunity' knocks for Aussies' last man standing
The shock exit of Alex de Minaur has left Australian men's tennis relying on the slim shoulders of Alexei Popyrin to carry the load as the last man standing at Roland Garros - with the No.25 seed saluting his new coach Wayne Ferreira as the secret weapon in his Paris rejuvenation. De Minaur's defeat to Alexander Bublik was a great example of just how unpredictable the clay-court slam can be, with Popyrin accepting that every clash in the third round is likely to be just as taxing and hard to call. But the fact remains that opportunity knocks for the coming man of Australian tennis. He faces Portuguese Nuno Borges in the last 32, a solidly impressive performer ranked No.41, some 16 places below Popyrin. Then, if he can overcome that hurdle on Friday, he will meet the winner of 24th seed Karen Khachanov against No.12 Tommy Paul in the last 16. These are matches he believes he can win - largely because the 25-year-old Canadian Open champ always fancies he can beat anybody on his day. That's particularly true now he's linked up with two-time Australian Open semi-finalist Wayne Ferreira as his new co-coach alongside long-time fellow South African mentor Neville Godwin. This all began at the start of the claycourt season following Xavier Malisse's shock decision to break from Popyrin's team in March, and the player is adamant Ferreira's now improving his game, just as he previously helped take soaring Briton Jack Draper's to new heights. In a different way, though. When the 53-year-old Ferreira, who was a top-six player himself, worked with Draper, he tried to get the now world No.5 to employ his huge leftie weapons more regularly and aggressively. "It's the opposite with me," smiles Popyrin. "Jack and I have different games. I think I can go ultra-aggressive, and that's my 'go to' when I'm not feeling good - it's to go for more. "And for me, it's just about reining that back a little bit. He also came in and really gave that sense of calmness in the team, which was really important for me at the time." Ferreira also offered a key piece of technical advice. "He really helped me on my backhand side, my weaker side. We tinkered with the grip a little bit. We changed the grip, which made sense for me." Popyrin's adamant it's "worked quite well" as he reached quarter-finals in Monte Carlo and Geneva, and it will need to be as he seeks to defeat former top-30 player Borges, who's the first Portuguese ever to get this far at Roland Garros. The shock exit of Alex de Minaur has left Australian men's tennis relying on the slim shoulders of Alexei Popyrin to carry the load as the last man standing at Roland Garros - with the No.25 seed saluting his new coach Wayne Ferreira as the secret weapon in his Paris rejuvenation. De Minaur's defeat to Alexander Bublik was a great example of just how unpredictable the clay-court slam can be, with Popyrin accepting that every clash in the third round is likely to be just as taxing and hard to call. But the fact remains that opportunity knocks for the coming man of Australian tennis. He faces Portuguese Nuno Borges in the last 32, a solidly impressive performer ranked No.41, some 16 places below Popyrin. Then, if he can overcome that hurdle on Friday, he will meet the winner of 24th seed Karen Khachanov against No.12 Tommy Paul in the last 16. These are matches he believes he can win - largely because the 25-year-old Canadian Open champ always fancies he can beat anybody on his day. That's particularly true now he's linked up with two-time Australian Open semi-finalist Wayne Ferreira as his new co-coach alongside long-time fellow South African mentor Neville Godwin. This all began at the start of the claycourt season following Xavier Malisse's shock decision to break from Popyrin's team in March, and the player is adamant Ferreira's now improving his game, just as he previously helped take soaring Briton Jack Draper's to new heights. In a different way, though. When the 53-year-old Ferreira, who was a top-six player himself, worked with Draper, he tried to get the now world No.5 to employ his huge leftie weapons more regularly and aggressively. "It's the opposite with me," smiles Popyrin. "Jack and I have different games. I think I can go ultra-aggressive, and that's my 'go to' when I'm not feeling good - it's to go for more. "And for me, it's just about reining that back a little bit. He also came in and really gave that sense of calmness in the team, which was really important for me at the time." Ferreira also offered a key piece of technical advice. "He really helped me on my backhand side, my weaker side. We tinkered with the grip a little bit. We changed the grip, which made sense for me." Popyrin's adamant it's "worked quite well" as he reached quarter-finals in Monte Carlo and Geneva, and it will need to be as he seeks to defeat former top-30 player Borges, who's the first Portuguese ever to get this far at Roland Garros. The shock exit of Alex de Minaur has left Australian men's tennis relying on the slim shoulders of Alexei Popyrin to carry the load as the last man standing at Roland Garros - with the No.25 seed saluting his new coach Wayne Ferreira as the secret weapon in his Paris rejuvenation. De Minaur's defeat to Alexander Bublik was a great example of just how unpredictable the clay-court slam can be, with Popyrin accepting that every clash in the third round is likely to be just as taxing and hard to call. But the fact remains that opportunity knocks for the coming man of Australian tennis. He faces Portuguese Nuno Borges in the last 32, a solidly impressive performer ranked No.41, some 16 places below Popyrin. Then, if he can overcome that hurdle on Friday, he will meet the winner of 24th seed Karen Khachanov against No.12 Tommy Paul in the last 16. These are matches he believes he can win - largely because the 25-year-old Canadian Open champ always fancies he can beat anybody on his day. That's particularly true now he's linked up with two-time Australian Open semi-finalist Wayne Ferreira as his new co-coach alongside long-time fellow South African mentor Neville Godwin. This all began at the start of the claycourt season following Xavier Malisse's shock decision to break from Popyrin's team in March, and the player is adamant Ferreira's now improving his game, just as he previously helped take soaring Briton Jack Draper's to new heights. In a different way, though. When the 53-year-old Ferreira, who was a top-six player himself, worked with Draper, he tried to get the now world No.5 to employ his huge leftie weapons more regularly and aggressively. "It's the opposite with me," smiles Popyrin. "Jack and I have different games. I think I can go ultra-aggressive, and that's my 'go to' when I'm not feeling good - it's to go for more. "And for me, it's just about reining that back a little bit. He also came in and really gave that sense of calmness in the team, which was really important for me at the time." Ferreira also offered a key piece of technical advice. "He really helped me on my backhand side, my weaker side. We tinkered with the grip a little bit. We changed the grip, which made sense for me." Popyrin's adamant it's "worked quite well" as he reached quarter-finals in Monte Carlo and Geneva, and it will need to be as he seeks to defeat former top-30 player Borges, who's the first Portuguese ever to get this far at Roland Garros. The shock exit of Alex de Minaur has left Australian men's tennis relying on the slim shoulders of Alexei Popyrin to carry the load as the last man standing at Roland Garros - with the No.25 seed saluting his new coach Wayne Ferreira as the secret weapon in his Paris rejuvenation. De Minaur's defeat to Alexander Bublik was a great example of just how unpredictable the clay-court slam can be, with Popyrin accepting that every clash in the third round is likely to be just as taxing and hard to call. But the fact remains that opportunity knocks for the coming man of Australian tennis. He faces Portuguese Nuno Borges in the last 32, a solidly impressive performer ranked No.41, some 16 places below Popyrin. Then, if he can overcome that hurdle on Friday, he will meet the winner of 24th seed Karen Khachanov against No.12 Tommy Paul in the last 16. These are matches he believes he can win - largely because the 25-year-old Canadian Open champ always fancies he can beat anybody on his day. That's particularly true now he's linked up with two-time Australian Open semi-finalist Wayne Ferreira as his new co-coach alongside long-time fellow South African mentor Neville Godwin. This all began at the start of the claycourt season following Xavier Malisse's shock decision to break from Popyrin's team in March, and the player is adamant Ferreira's now improving his game, just as he previously helped take soaring Briton Jack Draper's to new heights. In a different way, though. When the 53-year-old Ferreira, who was a top-six player himself, worked with Draper, he tried to get the now world No.5 to employ his huge leftie weapons more regularly and aggressively. "It's the opposite with me," smiles Popyrin. "Jack and I have different games. I think I can go ultra-aggressive, and that's my 'go to' when I'm not feeling good - it's to go for more. "And for me, it's just about reining that back a little bit. He also came in and really gave that sense of calmness in the team, which was really important for me at the time." Ferreira also offered a key piece of technical advice. "He really helped me on my backhand side, my weaker side. We tinkered with the grip a little bit. We changed the grip, which made sense for me." Popyrin's adamant it's "worked quite well" as he reached quarter-finals in Monte Carlo and Geneva, and it will need to be as he seeks to defeat former top-30 player Borges, who's the first Portuguese ever to get this far at Roland Garros.
