Rising star on Djoker collision course as four Aussies through from monster US Open contingent

A triumph in the Montreal Masters earlier this month raised hopes Alexei Popyrin might prove a headline act in Australian tennis in the years ahead but it can scarcely be said that the Sydneysider is swift when it comes to turning the pages.

Popyrin, who opened his US Open campaign with a stylish 7-5 6-2 6-3 victory over Korean Soonwoo Kwon in New York on Monday, was quizzed about an array of subjects from international journalists afterwards in a sign his profile is growing as a result of his breakthrough.

In short order, he is yet to notice any difference when it comes to the public perception of him and this was evident in both his match allocation — Court 12 — and also his press obligations, with Popyrin crammed between reporters in a booth away from the main rooms.

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A query was raised about his reading habits after perusing an old profile in which the 28th seed revealed he was flicking through Fever. Popyrin, who was joined in the second round by Rinky Hijikata, clarified that was his choice a few years ago.

Now he is reading a book named Dune but, after blasting through 400 pages in February, he has hit the wall. With a grin, he declared he had not “read many books” and this was the latest case of losing focus between the covers while concentrating on the court.

“I want to read that book before I watch the movie … and I read 400 pages in the first month, but I haven’t read anything since,” he said.

“But keep the interviews about books. I like talking about that.”

Popyrin spent the lead-in to the US Open in Kentucky and said it took him some time to find the rhythm that saw him post five top-20 wins on the way to becoming just the fourth Australian man to win a Masters title when successful in Canada earlier this month.

The 25-year-old broke Kwon, a winner of two ATP Tour titles, midway through the first set but handed the break back. But once breaking again deep in the first set, he proved far too strong for his rival, with Popyrin’s serve and forehand in particular proving effective.

“I was a little bit inconsistent throughout the first set but once I found rhythm and stuff, it felt quite comfortable out there,” he said.

“It felt like I had a few things I need to improve on, but it was a good start. I’m just putting my head down and continuing to work.

“I’m not getting too much of a big head or anything like that. I just want to keep working. If I do that, I feel like the results will come.”

Perhaps the only thing that bothered Popyrin was the differences between protocols in New York compared to the regular tour.

The US Open allows fans to move around without having to wait for breaks between change-of-ends, while the tournament still employs COVID-19 rules related to towels, which forces players to get them from the side of the courts between points.

The Australian will bid to reach the third round in New York for the third time when he plays either Pedro Martinez or Maks Kasnikowski.

Should he progress, it is probable Popyrin will play Novak Djokovic for the third time in a major this year after experiencing tight four set losses to him at the Australian Open and also Wimbledon.

Popyrin is someone who does not like to look at the draw, preferring to remain focused on the task in front of him, but had no choice this time around with good mate Thanasi Kokkinakis spilling the beans.

“I’m not thinking about that. I feel like I have had a lot of scenarios in my career where I had one more match and then I would play a bit match,” he said.

“So I have kind of gotten used to focusing on the match that I have got in hand and then, if I win that, obviously I’ve got Novak in the third round.”

FROM BROADWAY TO BREAKTHROUGH FOR RINKY

When Rinky Hijikata first played a US Open, the experience could not have been more Broadway.

He stayed near Times Square and shared Arthur Ashe Stadium with Rafael Nadal in an experience he admits was truly mind-boggling.

The 23-year-old, who reached the 4th Rd of the US Open last year in a big breakthrough, is scarcely old by tour standards but has learnt the virtue of avoiding distractions during tournaments.

The Sydneysider, who defeated Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in four sets on Monday, said it was important to retain focus during grand slams.

“I stayed close to Times Square the first year I played, which was when I played Rafa, and that was a bit hectic,” he said.

“It took ages to get here and everything, and it probably wasn’t the best place to stay, to be honest.

I like the place last year, and (I’m) sticking to it (because I) felt comfortable last year.

“Obviously, I played some good tennis, so maybe (I have) a little bit of superstition. But yeah, (I’m in the) same place this year, so I’ll try to get into the rhythm again.”

Hijikata plays No.9 seed Grigor Dimotrov in the second round and feels he needs to lift his game despite a solid performance against Hijikata.

“I think the windows where you kind of get opportunities against a player like that are minimal,”

he said.

“You’re really going to have to make sure you’re switched on and capitalise on those otherwise, yeah, they’re gonna make it pretty difficult.”

ELSEWHERE…

Adam Walton had his chances against French wildcard Alexandre Muller when beaten 3-6 7-6 (7) 6-3 6-4, having held points for a two set lead.

Alex de Minaur, the 10th seed, will lead the 13 Aussies in action on Day 2 at Flushing Meadows.

In the women’s draw, Ajla Tomljanovic also progressed to the second round when too classy for Ann Li, winning 6-4 6-4 to set up an encounter with former Australian Open semifinalist Elise Mertens.

Australian debutant Maya Joint, who carried her strong form from qualifying into the main draw when, after a second set hiccup, proved too good for German veteran Laura Siegemund 6-4 7-5 and will now play Madison Keys.

Earlier on Monday, qualifier Kimberly Birrell performed soundly against Olympics silver medallist Donna Vekic but fell short when beaten 6-4 6-4.

Australian qualifier Priscilla Hon featured in the last match to finish on the opening day and had her moments against dual-Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka when beaten 6-3 6-3 on Louis Armstrong Stadium at 12.10am.