Alexei Popyrin has posted his greatest profession end result at Indian Wells, changing into the primary Australian into the third spherical in 2025.
Indian Wells, CA, United States, 8 March 2025 | Matt Trollope
Alexei Popyrin has begun his Indian Wells marketing campaign on the right notice, beating fast-rising Belgian Zizou Bergs in two tight units.
The win strikes Popyrin into the third spherical within the Californian desert for the primary time in 5 main-draw appearances, the place 4 extra Aussies will try to affix him on Saturday (California time).
SCHEDULE: Indian Wells order of play – Saturday 8 March
Sadly, Chris O’Connell is just not considered one of them, after the Aussie fell to resurgent Italian Matteo Berrettini.
The previous world No.6 held off a second-set push from O’Connell to seal a 6-2 7-6(2) win.
Popyrin, the twenty sixth seed, obtained a first-round bye earlier than confronting Bergs, who’s at present at a career-high rating of world No.53 after being outdoors the highest 100 simply 9 months in the past.
He led by an early break towards the Australian, earlier than Popyrin rebounded from 4-2 all the way down to ultimately declare the primary set in a tiebreak.
Popyrin then broke within the twelfth and remaining sport of the match to finish a 7-6(4) 7-5 triumph.
He was animated after prevailing, reaching the final 32 for the primary time after debuting in the principle draw on the Indian Wells Tennis Backyard six years prior.
Following a sluggish begin to 2025, Popyrin has now gained his opening match at his previous two occasions (Dubai and Indian Wells).
He might go additional on the yr’s first Masters 1000 event when he takes on American Marcos Giron, who upset No.4 seed Casper Ruud in three units.
Ought to he win once more, it might be the fourth time Popyrin has progressed past the third spherical at a Masters-level occasion.
Popyrin’s greatest ATP Masters 1000 performances
| 12 months | Masters occasion | Outcome |
| 2023 | Rome | 4R |
| 2023 | Cincinnati | QF |
| 2024 | Montreal | Champion |
| 2025 | Indian Wells | ? |
Along with his win over Bergs, Popyrin has returned to the high 25 within the ATP stay rankings.
Countryman Alex de Minaur, the No.9 seed, kicks off his Indian Wells marketing campaign, additionally towards a Belgian in David Goffin.
Rinky Hijikata and Adam Walton, who gained first-round matches earlier within the week, tackle seeds Brandon Nakashima and Denis Shapovalov respectively.
Qualifier Kim Birrell, the final remaining Aussie within the ladies’s discipline, faces twenty eighth seed Elise Mertens.
By successful by to the second spherical at Indian Wells, this marks Birrell’s greatest ever efficiency at a WTA 1000-level occasion.
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