"Winning Montreal was way bigger than today" - Novak Djokovic-conqueror Alexei Popyrin after ousting the defending champion in US Open 3R
Alexei Popyrin scored one of the biggest wins of his career against Novak Djokovic at the 2024 US Open. The Aussie ousted the defending champion in the third round 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 on the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The win, however, in the youngster’s own words, fades in comparison to his earlier run to a maiden Masters 1000 title in Montreal.
Speaking to the media during his post-match press conference, Popyrin said winning the trophy in Montreal was way bigger for him as it was not something that he had envisioned. Having pushed Djokovic to four sets in two of his previous meetings this year made him believe that he could beat him coming into the US Open third-round encounter.
"For me winning Montreal was way bigger than beating Novak Djokovic here. It's a Masters 1000 title. That felt unbelievable. Today it was something I kind thought I could do," Alexei Popyrin said.
"Winning a Masters 1000 wasn't something that had crossed by head, but my two experiences playing [Novak Djokovic] in Berlin and Australian Open gave me the confidence to believe that I could go out there and win... so when I did it, it kind of proved me right," he added.
Popyrin also achieved a significant milestone by reaching the second week of Slam for the first time in his career. The Aussie, who had lost in the third round on six prior occasions, said he was happy to see that all the work he had been putting into his game was paying off.
"It's unbelievable because I've been in the third round about 15 times in my career, but I haven't been able to get past to the fourth round and to be able to do it against the greatest of all time. Uh, to get into the fourth round is is unbelievable, you know, so yeah it's a great feeling and the whole work paid off," the Aussie said.
"Level wise, it probably wasn't like the highest level" - Alexei Popyrin after beating Novak Djokovic at US Open
Alexei Popyrin also put his performance against Novak Djokovic in the US Open third round into perspective, saying while the level was high, it was not one of his best matches.
The Aussie conceded that he played at the highest level when it came to tactics, but added that the level of his overall game has been higher in some past matches where he has posted more dominant wins.
"I would say level wise, it probably wasn't like the highest level, you know, I think because I've had some matches where I've played and I felt way better than I felt out there today," Alexei Popyrin said.
"But I think the way I composed myself and the way I tactically played the match, that was up there with one of the best matches that I've played. But the level, it was high, but it wasn't... Honestly, like, I've had matches where I've won, like one and one and I played a match where I've hit 50 winners so it was, it was kind of like that," he added.
Popyrin will next take on Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round. The American beat compatriot Ben Shelton in a five-set thriller to book his spot in the US Open's second week.