Australian hope Alexei Popyrin has suffered a devastating first-round exit at the Australian Open, letting a commanding position slip in a brutal five-set battle that stretched close to four hours on Monday night.
Heartbreak in Melbourne for Popyrin
The big-serving Sydneysider had victory within his grasp on multiple occasions but ultimately fell to France's Alexandre Muller in a dramatic 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(4) defeat. Despite unleashing a phenomenal 40 aces throughout the match, Popyrin could not close it out.
Popyrin appeared destined for the second round when he secured an early break in the fourth set. His advantage grew even more pronounced in the tiebreaker, where he surged to a 5-2 lead. However, Muller staged an incredible fightback, winning the final five points of the set to level the match and send it to a decider.
The rollercoaster continued in the fifth set. Popyrin again broke serve to lead 5-3, putting him on the brink of victory. Yet, in a cruel twist, Muller broke back immediately. The Australian was agonisingly two points from victory at 30-30 on his opponent's serve, but Muller found a way to hold and eventually force a match-deciding super tiebreak.
Muller's Mental Fortitude Seals Incredible Comeback
Frenchman Alexandre Muller then seized control of the final tiebreaker, breaking Australian hearts inside John Cain Arena. Remarkably, Muller did not lead the match until that final tiebreak in the fifth set.
Commentating for Nine, Australian tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt praised Muller's resilience. "This has been an incredible mental performance by Muller as well," Hewitt said. "He obviously never stopped believing."
The match was a tale of missed opportunities for Popyrin, who dominated the first set, losing just three points on his serve. After dropping the second set, he regained control in the third, aided by a string of unforced errors from his opponent. The fourth set saw Popyrin secure an early break with a series of powerful forehands, but he could not serve out the match.
At 5-6 down in the fourth, Popyrin required treatment from the physio on his lower leg. He continued and forced the tiebreaker, where he again held a critical point at 5-4, only to lose both points on his own serve, allowing Muller to steal the set.
Silver Lining for Australian Contingent on Day One
While Popyrin's loss was a bitter pill to swallow, it was otherwise a highly successful day for the home nation's players at Melbourne Park.
Sixth seed Alex de Minaur led the charge with a commanding 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 victory over American lucky loser Mackenzie McDonald. Wildcards Jordan Thompson and Rinky Hijikata also advanced with impressive wins. Thompson fought back to defeat Argentina's Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-1, 6-1, while Hijikata dismantled veteran Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-3, 6-1.
On the women's side, three Australians celebrated first-round victories. Ajla Tomljanovic recovered from a set down to overcome Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-1. Storm Hunter, returning from a ruptured Achilles tendon that saw her miss last year's tournament, powered past Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4, 6-4.
The most dramatic women's win belonged to Priscilla Hon, who secured her first Australian Open singles victory in six years. Hon overcame a poor first set to lead Canadian qualifier Marina Stakusic 1-6, 6-4, 5-3 when Stakusic was forced to retire with severe leg cramps. The Canadian left the court in a wheelchair, with Hon assisting her.
"Obviously I didn't want to win like that, but I do feel very relieved that I'm through to the second round," Hon said afterwards.
Not all Aussies progressed, however. Aleksandar Vukic fell in straight sets to Argentina's Thiago Agustin Tirante, while teenage wildcard Emerson Jones was defeated by 17th seed Victoria Mboke.
The action continues on Tuesday as the Australian Open first round concludes, with more local favourites aiming to join the seven Australians who advanced on Monday.
