| Match: Finished | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L. Pouille (FRA) (28) | 7(7) | 6 | 6(10) | 4 | 6 |
| A. Popyrin (AUS) | 6(3) | 3 | 7(12) | 6 | 3 |
| Completed Sets | ||
|---|---|---|
| Set won by L. Pouille | 6 - 3 | L. Pouille leads 3 to 2 |
| Set won by A. Popyrin | 4 - 6 | A. Popyrin has tied the match at 2 sets all |
| Set won by A. Popyrin | 6(10) - 7(12) | A. Popyrin trails 2 to 1 |
| Set won by L. Pouille | 6 - 3 | L. Pouille leads 2 to 0 |
| Set won by L. Pouille | 7(7) - 6(3) | L. Pouille leads 1 to 0 |
The last Australian left in the men’s singles has fallen but Alexei Popyrin put in a huge fight, making Lucas Pouille go to five sets to defeat him on Saturday night.
Final score
Lucas Pouille 7(7) 6 6(10) 4 6
Alexei Popyrin 6(3) 3 7(12) 6 3
Alexei Popyrin has a chance to continue his dream run tonight when he takes on Lucas Pouille in the third round of the Australian Open. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from around 8:30pm (AEDT).
Alexei Popyrin is one of a number of promising young players coming through the Australian system. Currently ranked 149 in the world, Popyrin’s schedule in 2018 was mainly Challenger Tour events.
However, towards the end of the year, he started qualifying for, and winning some matches in, main tour events.
Yet, after first round losses in Brisbane and Sydney, hopes were not high for the 19-year-old. How wrong we were.
A straight set win over Mischa Zverev in the first round and a massive upset against world No.8, Dominic Thiem, in the second round.
Thiem was obviously physically unwell in that match but he took the court thinking that, even at half pace, he could beat Popyrin. Two sets to love and a break down, Thiem realised that his Australian Open was over.
Having never ventured beyond the first round of the Australian Open before, Lucas Pouille has had a reasonably trouble-free run through the first two rounds, losing only one set along the way. His last match did take just over three and a half hours, so he may have some fatigue coming into this.
Pouille did crack the top 10 in March 2018, bolstered by an impressive European indoor hardcourt season, winning in Montpellier and making two other finals. Since then, his form has fallen off a bit, dropping to No.31 in the world.
Prior to the Australian Open, his Australian summer consisted of a first-round loss in Sydney.
Prediction
I’m sensing another boilover here.
In front of a big Margaret Court Arena crowd, Popyrin can lift again to beat a player who may be suffering fatigue from a long second-round match.
Popyrin to win in 4 sets
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wow, I called it quits at 2 sets to nothing to get some sleep. What an incredible fightback.
Maggie
Guest
Well that was entertaining. I was impressed with Popyrin, he’s only 19yo so lots to like about him. Pouille needs help on the mental side of his game. He obviously gets very tight in trying to close out a match. I was interested to see he is coached by Amélie Mauresmo. She too suffered from nerves in big matches!
David Holden
Roar Guru
Lucas Pouille has made it through to the 4th round with a 5 set win tonight. From Australia's viewpoint, Alexei Popyrin will be bitterly disappointed but he has all the tools to be a top ranked player within a few years. Good night
David Holden
Roar Guru
Ace for 15-0 Double fault and 15-15 Great serve and smash to win the point. 30-15 Pouille nets a backhand and this is not over yet. 30-30 Double fault, 30-40, and break back point Good serve down the T. Deuce Popyrin overhits the forehand and match point. Pouille has done with a forehand winner. GAME SET MATCH LUCAS POUILLE 7-6 6-3 6-7 4-6 6-3 Popyrin 6 3 7 6 3 Pouille 7 6 6 4 6
David Holden
Roar Guru
Sliding serve and forehand win the point. 15-0 Big serve for 30-0 Pouille catches the tape with his forehand. 40-0 Double fault and 40-15 Sliding serve ace and Pouille will need to serve out Popyrin 6 3 7 6 3 Pouille 7 6 6 4 5
David Holden
Roar Guru
Great volley for 15-0 Popyrin misses the forehand and this looks bleak now. 30-0 Backhand down the line from Popyrin just out. 40-0 Backhand return is mishit and Pouille is seemingly in control Popyrin 6 3 7 6 2 Pouille 7 6 6 4 5
David Holden
Roar Guru
Approach not deep enough and Pouille hits the backhand winner. 0-15 Great backhand down the line from Popyrin. 15-15 Good serve for 30-15. Forehand winner from Pouille. 30-30. Pouille goes just long on the forehand. 40-30 Popyrin forehand is overhit. Deuce Pouille just misses the forehand. Ad Popyrin Great point from both players and Pouille wins with a backhand volley. Deuce Unforced error from Popyrin. Break point Wild forehand from Popyrin and Pouille gets the break Popyrin 6 3 7 6 2 Pouille 7 6 6 4 4
David Holden
Roar Guru
Racing through this set. One break of serve would probably be enough Popyrin 6 3 7 6 2 Pouille 7 6 6 4 3
David Holden
Roar Guru
Pouille's forehand has caught the line. 15-0 Serve down the T can't be returned. 30-0 Popyrin is wide with the forehand. 40-0 Return is netted and a love game for Pouille. Popyrin 6 3 7 6 2 Pouille 7 6 6 4 3
David Holden
Roar Guru
Sliding serve for 15-0 Deep return forces the error and 15-15 Great serve down the T forces return error.30-15 Ace for 40-15 Great serve again for easy hold Popyrin 6 3 7 6 2 Pouille 7 6 6 4 2
David Holden
Roar Guru
Ace for 30-0 Sliding serve forces error and 40-0 Bizarre point there but Pouille survives and leads 2-1 Popyrin 6 3 7 6 1 Pouille 7 6 6 4 2
David Holden
Roar Guru
Ace for 15-0 Good serve and drive volley for 30-0. Sliding serve and cross court forehand for 40-0 Great serve for the game Popyrin 6 3 7 6 1 Pouille 7 6 6 4 1
David Holden
Roar Guru
All set for the decider. Pouille to serve Popyrin sends his forehand long. 15-0 Sharp volleying from Pouille. 30-0 Good first serve to the body. 40-0 Double fault and 40-15. Serve down the T is unplayable and Pouille holds. Popyrin 6 3 7 6 0 Pouille 7 6 6 4 1
Maggie
Guest
Outstanding comeback by Popyrin. This young man looks the real deal: talent, height (now so important in top tennis), and mental strength. He could have a very bright future.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Massive forehand winner down the line from Pouille. 0-15 Great forehands from Popyrin there. 15-15 Pouille takes return early and cracks forehand winner. 15-30 Pouille sends a backhand long. 30-30 Pouille's return is long. 40-30. Set point Forehand does the trick and Popyrin has levelled this at 2 sets all Popyrin 6 3 7 6 Pouille 7 6 6 4
David Holden
Roar Guru
Off backhand return winner. 0-15 Popyrin draws Pouille in but he does well at net. 15-15 Pouille reads Popyrin's volley and hits the forehand pass. 30-15 Double fault and 30-30. Good first serve to the body. 40-30. Popyrin just overhits the forehand and he will now need to serve out the 4th set Popyrin 6 3 7 5 Pouille 7 6 6 4
David Holden
Roar Guru
Good sliding serve forces the error. 15-0 Unplayable serve to backhand. 30-0 Great backhand crosscourt from Pouille. 30-15 First serve to the body and 40-15. Great sliding serve and Popyrin holds Popyrin 6 3 7 5 Pouille 7 6 6 3
David Holden
Roar Guru
forehand from Popyrin is too good. 0-15 Ace for 15-15 Ace again for 30-15 Quick second serve forces the error and 40-15. Double fault and 40-30. Pouille hits the drive volley long. Deuce Popyrin scrambles return in and Pouille misses the volley. Big serve to save the break point. Deuce Popyrin advances and puts away the smash. Break point Popyrin runs around the backhand but sends it wide. Deuce Great crosscourt forehand and backhand pass. Break point. Brain explosion from Pouille there. He misses the drop shot and Popyrin has broken Popyrin 6 3 7 4 Pouille 7 6 6 3