Popyrin Snaps Skid In Eastbourne
Alexei Popyrin got back on track Tuesday with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 win against lucky loser Norbert Gombos at the Viking International Eastbourne.
The Aussie has had a breakthrough season in 2021, winning his first ATP Tour title in Singapore and reaching his career-high No. 61 in the FedEx ATP Rankings in May. But the 21-year-old arrived in Eastbourne on a five-match losing streak at all levels.
[WATCH LIVE 2]Popyrin turned that around against Gombos behind three service breaks. The World No. 67 was unable to convert any of his three break points in the first set to fall behind, but he ultimately was able to gain the momentum and improve as the match went on.
Popyrin made the second round at Wimbledon in 2019 as a qualifier. He will next play Ilya Ivashka, who defeated lucky loser Alastair Gray 6-2, 7-6(5) after one hour and 44 minutes.
In perhaps the match of the day, Marton Fucsovics clawed past Slovenian Aljaz Bedene 7-6(3), 3-6, 7-6(3) to earn his 100th tour-level win. The Hungarian won 81 per cent of his first-serve points to advance after two hours and 44 minutes, and he will next play lucky loser Soonwoo Kwon.
Sixth seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina beat Swedish qualifier Mikael Ymer 7-5, 6-1 in a battle between Next Gen ATP Finals alumni. This was the Roland Garros quarter-finalist’s first tour-level win on grass, and he will face Canadian Vasek Pospisil for a quarter-final spot.
Home favourite Liam Broady, a wild card, also moved on with a 6-3, 7-6(4) triumph against American Frances Tiafoe. The lefty will play second seed Alex de Minaur next.