Popyrin makes 10 Aussies through in Open

Australian youngster Alexei Popyrin has beaten German veteran Mischa Zverev to move into the second round of the Australian Open.

Alexei Popyrin of Australia in action against Mischa Zverev.

Wildcard Alexei Popyrin has joined a host of local hopes through to the Australian Open 2nd round. (AAP)

Young gun Alexei Popyrin has secured Australia's equal-best start at Melbourne Park in 16 years after stunning German veteran Mischa Zverev in his grand-slam debut.

The 19-year-old is the 10th Australian through to the second round after a 7-5 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 opening-round win in a just under two hours.

World No.149 Popyrin, the 2017 junior French Open winner, hit 60 winners against the 31-year-old Zverev in a performance that vindicated his wildcard entry.

It was an inglorious exit for Zverev and a far cry from his 2017 upset of Andy Murray at Melbourne Park.

Popyrin broke into the top 150 for the first time last October after securing his maiden win at an ATP World Tour event at the Swiss Indoors.

The Sydneysider prepared for his first major in fine company; using the world-renowned facilities of Serena Williams' coach Patrick Mouratoglou in France.

He joins countrymen Alex de Minaur, John Millman, Jordan Thompson, Matt Ebden and fellow Tuesday winner Alex Bolt in the second round, after eight Australians won their opening matches on Monday.

Australia will have four women in the second round - Ashleigh Barty, Astra Sharma, Kimberly Birrell and Zoe Hives - who will all feature on Wednesday.

Popyrin and Bolt were the only Australian winners among eight in action on Tuesday.

Wildcard Destanee Aiava went down to American 17th seed Madison Keys 6-2 6-2, while Daria Gavrilova bemoaned a lack of confidence after losing to Tamara Zidansek 7-5 6-3.

Samantha Stosur was overrun by Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska 7-5 6-2 and Ajla Tomljanovic fell 7-6 (7-4) 2-6 7-6 (10-7) to Sydney-born Brit Johanna Konta.

Late in the afternoon, injury-plagued Thanasi Kokkinakis was forced to retire against Japan's Taro Daniel.

Nick Kyrgios almost went the same way after ongoing treatment to his knee, during his exit to Canadian 16th seed Milos Raonic 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.

The last time Australia had more representation in the second round of the year's first major was in 2003 when 11 players made it through their opening match.

Popyrin will face Benoit Paire or Austrian seventh seed Dominic Thiem for a place in the third round.


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Source: AAP



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