Popyrin Upsets Felix In Adelaide

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Alexei Popyrin earned the third Top 10 win of his career on Monday when he upset World No. 6 Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-6(5) to reach the second round at the Adelaide International 1.

After coming through qualifying, the Australian quickly found his range, hammering the ball off both wings to take time away from the Canadian, who was competing for the first time this season.

“A really good win for me, especially coming off last season where I only had five wins on the circuit,” Popyrin said. “For me it's a very, very important win. I know I have the level to play against guys like that, and today just proved it. I'm happy. I'm not surprised, to be honest, but I'm happy with it.”

Popyrin struck 11 aces and rallied from 1-4 in the second set, holding his nerve in the second-set tie-break to advance after one hour and 53 minutes in his first ATP Head2Head meeting against Auger-Aliassime. The World No. 120, who has also earned Top 10 victories against Dominic Thiem and Stefanos Tsitsipas, will next face American Marcos Giron.

Auger-Aliassime held a 60-27 record in 2022, lifting four tour-level titles. However, the 22-year-old was unable to find his best level, misfiring at key moments in his first match of the year.

In other action, #NextGenATP Dane Holger Rune suffered a first-round exit, falling against Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka. The 27-year-old, currently at a career-high No. 36 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings rallied to upset the fifth seed 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and seven minutes. Nishioka will next meet American Mackenzie McDonald.

Rune, who was making his second appearance at the ATP 250 event, enjoyed a standout 2022 season. He won his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title in Paris and cracked the Top 10 of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the first time.

Miomir Kecmanovic started the new year with victory, overcoming Australian Christopher O'Connell 6-4, 6-4. The Serbian could play Daniil Medvedev in the second round. The third seed begins his campaign against Italian Lorenzo Sonego.

#NextGenATP Jack Draper also advanced, defeating Soonwoo Kwon 6-2, 6-1, while Quentin Halys defeated Jordan Thompson 6-3, 6-4.