Alexei Popyrin is no stranger to defeating the biggest names on the ATP Tour.
In 2024, the Australian stunned his peers by winning the Canadian Open, before defeating 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the US Open third round.
In 2025, Popyrin faces a similar scenario: he will face world number one Jannik Sinner in the US Open second round.
In the first round, Popyrin defeated Emil Ruusuvuori 6-3 6-4 7-6.
Ahead of his match against Sinner, Popyrin discussed his previous success against the tour’s best players.
Alexei Popyrin says he has always brought his best level against higher-ranked players
After victory over Ruusuvuori, Popyrin was asked to speak about his success against players ranked in the top 10 and top five in the world.
Popyrin said before the US Open that he was ‘not really worried’ about the prospect of facing Sinner, and the 26-year-old conveyed a similar air of confidence after his first-round victory.
The Australian said: “It’s something that I’ve been doing since I was a junior. I was brought my best level against the players that were older than me, as a junior, older than me, or better than me, or higher ranked than me, and I think if I’m able to bring that level… I always say, I’m able to go toe-to-toe with the top guys, I always am, and I’ve shown that in the past.
“But for me it’s a matter of consistency.
“For me, it’s a matter of just bringing that level all the time, and that’s where I kind of struggle, and that’s where the top guys don’t.
“If I’m able to do that, I see myself where they are.”
The reporter then asked Popyrin a follow-up question: “Is your energy different before a match? Say last year against Novak or against Jannik tomorrow? Or is it just something that clicks into place?”
Popyrin replied: “No just something that clicks. It’s just something that clicks. I think it’s just… everything that’s done before a match, everything I do before a match is the same.
“But I just go out there knowing that I can play with them. I know I can compete against them, I know that I can beat some of them.
“So I go in there not afraid, not already lost, and I feel like some players do.”
Who could Alexei Popyrin face in the US Open third round if he beats Jannik Sinner?
If Alexei Popyrin does defeat Jannik Sinner, it would certainly be one of the shocks of the decade.
However, Popyrin should not be written off. After all, the Australian defeated the defending champion at the 2024 US Open: Novak Djokovic.
Popyrin will have to play close to his best – likely for an extended period – if he hopes to defeat Sinner. Even if Sinner is still struggling with the remnants of illness, he remains the best hard-court ATP player on the planet.
The winner of Popyrin and Sinner’s match will face either France’s Valentin Royer or 27th seed Denis Shapovalov in the third round.
