Aussie Alexei Popyrin crashes back to earth in Cincinnati Masters after winning Montreal Masters
Alexei Popyrin’s winning streak has come to an end with a first-round defeat at the Cincinnati Masters.
Two days after winning the Montreal Masters to become the first Australian in 21 years to claim an ATP 1000 series title, Popyrin crashed back to earth with a 7-5 6-3 loss to Frenchman Gael Monfils.
There was better news for Max Purcell, who joined compatriot Jordan Thompson in the second round with a 6-4 7-6 (7-1) win over Czech Tomas Machac.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.World No.1 Jannik Sinner progressed with a 6-4 7-5 win against Alex Michelsen.
Sinner bounced back from a hip-injury scare and a quarter-final exit in Canada, but needed to save all eight break points against the American qualifier.
The Italian will next meet Argentine Sebastian Baez or Thompson for a place in the quarters. Sinner has reached that stage at all five previous ATP Masters 1000s he has played this season, but he has never advanced to the last eight in Ohio.
“It was a tough match,” Sinner, who improved to 25-2 on hard courts this season, said.
“I’m very happy to be in the next round. For me this is a place where I used to struggle a lot in the past years, so let’s see what I can do this time.”
Elsewhere, Jack Draper required a medical time out before beating Jaume Munar 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7-5) and will play world No.11 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the next round.
The Greek beat Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff 4-6 6-4 6-3.
Draper recovered from 4-2 down in the opening set to twice break Munar, but the Spaniard, ranked 89, levelled it up by taking the second.
Both players broke serve early in the decider and after Draper saved a break point to lead 6-5, the 22-year-old left-hander called for the trainer.
Munar comfortably held to take it to a tiebreak, but Draper, who became British No.1 earlier this summer after winning his first career ATP Tour title in Stuttgart, defied waning energy levels to take it 7-5.
Denmark’s Holger Rune, Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime and Nuno Borges of Portugal also progressed.
With AAP.
