Alexei Popyrin has fulfilled his part of the agreement and likely qualified for a meeting with defending champion Novak Djokovic in the third round of the US Open.
Popyrin braved the scorching heat in New York to defeat Spaniard Pedro Martinez 6-2, 6-4, 6-0, while three of his Australian colleagues were brought back down to earth on the third day.
The men’s number 28 had to work hard in the heatwave and had to make up a break point deficit twice in the second set.
Popyrin, however, proved his mettle and managed to do it in one hour and 48 minutes, sending a clear statement to his rivals with his outstanding final set.
The 25-year-old Montreal Masters winner has yet to drop a set on his way to the last 32 and hit another 13 aces on Wednesday (Thursday, AEST).
“It was really hot. After the Olympics this year, the conditions were probably the hottest I’ve ever played in,” Popyrin said.
“At times I felt pretty bad, but I trusted my fitness. I trusted my team and the most important thing, especially in this weather, was that we got through in two sets and now have the maximum time to recover.
“That was my biggest focus throughout the game.”
Chasing his unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles title, second-seeded Djokovic will later face fellow Serbian Laslo Djere in the men’s main event.
The winner will play against Popyrin for a place in the round of 16.
If it is Djokovic, Popyrin has recent experience against the super Serb. He has already lost twice in four sets at the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year.
“I had chances in both matches and it’s just about taking those chances and playing well on the important points. That’s what he did,” said Australia’s former French Open junior champion.
Meanwhile, Popyrin’s compatriot Rinky Hijikata was previously confronted with the reality of a Grand Slam tournament.
Hijikata was no match for Grigor Dimitrov and suffered a clear defeat against the ninth-seeded Bulgarian with 6:1, 6:1, 7:6 (7:4), which caused him to be eliminated in the second round.
Former women’s quarterfinalist Ajla Tomljanovic and 18-year-old qualifier Maya Joint were also eliminated on day three at Flushing Meadows.
Ten players made it to the second round, giving Australia’s top 20-strong group its best start to the Open in 45 years.
The men in particular were in top form: for the first time since 1976 – almost half a century ago – eight Australians won their opening games.
Hijikata stormed into the fourth round last year as a wildcard but knew he would have a tough task against Dimitrov, who is playing his best tennis at 33.
However, Hijikata could not have imagined winning only two games in the first two sets.
The 23-year-old put up more resistance in the third set, but in the end the class of the former world number three prevailed, which Dimitrov was able to claim after two hours and 10 minutes.
Tomljanovic lost her second-round match 6-3, 6-2 to Belgian No. 33 seed Elise Mertens, while Joint’s Grand Slam run ended with a 6-4, 6-0 loss to 2017 runner-up Madison Keys.
“The first set was tough and I had my chances, but she played really well,” Joint said.
“She definitely lifted weight in the second set and yeah, I don’t think I did anything wrong.”
Despite the loss, Joint is expected to leave New York with her highest world ranking yet (No. 108) and on course to qualify directly for the Australian Open in January after winning three qualifying matches and recording her first Grand Slam main draw victory.
