|
"I enjoyed coming out on center court for the
first time," Popyrin said of Court Rainier III. "First
tournament on clay of the year and I have good memories from
clay last year (a win in Umag). I am feeling really comfortable
on it and happy to beat a guy who was in form, confident and the
defending champ. It was an awesome match."
Popyrin recorded 25 winners, to 17 for the sixth-seeded Rublev,
and converted 3 of 8 break-point opportunities, to 1 of 6 for
his opponent.
"The idea was not to give him the same ball," Popyrin said. "He
is probably the best player from the baseline when you give him
rhythm, so I tried to change the pace, height and spin and I
think it worked really well for me today."
Popyrin advanced to the third round against fellow Australian
Alex de Minaur. The 11th-seeded de Minaur defeated Tallon
Griekspoor of the Netherlands 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the Round of 32.
It's the first time an Australian has reached the third stage in
Monte Carlo since Lleyton Hewitt and Wayne Arthurs in 2004.
Second seed Jannik Sinner of Italy turned in a dominant 6-1, 6-2
effort against unseeded American Sebastian Korda in 75 minutes
to reach the third round. Sinner, ranked No. 2 in the world,
saved all three break points and won 95.2 percent (20 of 21) of
points on his first serve.
"I think me and Sebi have similar game styles, so we are not
playing like the classic clay-court specialists; we like to play
quite flat," Sinner said. "But I moved quite well in these
conditions. Every year it is tough to come here and perform
well, but I am happy with the performance. Let's see what is
coming in the next round."
Sinner will face Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany in the next
round.
In other action Wednesday, fourth-seeded Daniil Medvedev of
Russia ousted French wild card Gael Monfils 6-2, 6-4; eighth
seed Casper Ruud of Norway won in straight sets over Alejandro
Tabilo of Chile 6-2, 6-4; and 10th seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland
outbattled qualifier Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain 7-5, 7-6
(4).
Other winners were 12th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, 14th
seed Ugo Humbert of France, 15th seed Karen Khachanov of Russia
and lucky loser Lorenzo Sonego of Italy.
Rain suspended play later Wednesday with seventh seed Holger
Rune of Denmark leading India's Sumit Nagal 6-3, 2-1; and ninth
seed Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria up 6-4, 2-1 against Miomir
Kecmanovic of Serbia.
--Field Level Media
[© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
|
