Seeded for the first time in a grand slam, Alexei Popyrin started his US Open campaign stylishly with a straight sets win in New York on Monday.
The Montreal Masters winner became the first Australian to progress to the second round in the last major of the year with a 7-5 6-2 6-3 victory over South Korean Soonwoo Kwon when refocusing after a concentration dip late in the first set to progress with ease.
The 25-year-old, who shapes as a probable third round opponent for Novak Djokovic, had too many weapons for Kwon, who is a solid baseliner but did not have the potency on serve to stay with the Australian.
The Australian was almost impregnable when landing his first serve, winning 92 percent of the points, and dominated the shorter points in the match as his firepower gave him the upper-hand over Kwon.
Popyrin has played Djokovic, who will begin his US Open defence against Radu Albot later on Monday in New York, twice at grand slam level this year, managing to take a set on both occasions at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
Earlier on Monday, qualifier Kimberly Birrell performed soundly against Olympics silver medallist Donna Vekic but fell short when beaten 6-4 6-4.
Maya Joint, Priscilla Hon, Rinky Hijikata, Ajla Tomljanovic and Adam Walton are still to play their first round matches on the opening day of the final major of the year, while 10th seed Alex de Minaur will lead the 13 Aussies in action on Day 2 at Flushing Meadows.
More to come …
Popyrin looking to break Masters drought | 01:16
Source Agencies
