Who is Alexei Popyrin? Everything to know about Novak Djokovic's US Open 2024 3R opponent
Novak Djokovic and Alexei Popyrin have staged a thrilling clash at the 2024 US Open. This is their fourth career match-up and third of the season.
On Friday, August 30, Djokovic and Popyrin took the Arthur Ashe Stadium for their third-round clash at the US Open. Popyrin put on a clinical display to claim the opening two sets, 6-4, 6-4. The Australian tennis player level, though, comes as no surprise.
Novak Djokovic's US Open opponent Alexei Popyrin clinched his maiden Masters 1000 title this month
Alexei Popyrin entered the US Open after a stellar performance at the Canadian Open in Montreal earlier in August. Ranked No. 62 in the world at the time, the 25-year-old tennis player stunned several top-20 players en route to his biggest career title yet.
After beating Czech Tomas Machac in the opening match, he went on to upset Ben Shelton, Grigor Dimitrov, Hubert Hurkacz, and Sebastian Korda. In the final, Popyrin crushed fifth seed Andrey Rublev.
He subsequently reached a career-high ranking of World No. 23 and is currently ranked No. 28.
Alexei Popyrin has won two other titles on tour
The 2024 Canadian Open was Alexei Popyrin’s third champion’s trophy. The Aussie won his maiden title at the Singapore Open in 2021, beating Alexander Bublik in the title clash. His second title came at the 2023 Croatia Open, where he beat three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka in the final.
Notably, Popyrin boasts a perfect record in finals, having emerged victorious on all three occasions.
Alexei Popyrin challenged Novak Djokovic in both their previous 2024 meetings
The 2024 US Open is Novak Djokovic and Alexei Popyrin’s third Grand Slam meeting of the season. The pair have now met at all Majors barring the French Open.
In the second round of the Australian Open earlier this year, the 6’ 5’’ tall Aussie gave the Serb a major scare by taking the second set. He also almost won the third set, producing four set-point opportunities, but was ultimately unsuccessful. The 24-time Grand Slam champion eventually beat his younger opponent 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3.
At the Wimbledon Championships, Popyrin won the opening set before being subdued by the Serb in four (4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (3)).
Alexei Popyrin avenges previous defeats at US Open 2024
Alexei Popyrin, who had never before made it past the third round of a Grand Slam, has avenged his Australian Open and Wimbledon defeats to Novak Djokovic at the 2024 US Open.
The Aussie clinched the first two sets, but he was challenged by the defending champion in the third. However, despite Novak Djokovic’s brief comeback (6-2) to force a fourth set, Popyrin remained unfazed to get the job done with a 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 scoreline. He faces American favorite Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round on Sunday.