Can Popyrin upset the defending champion?
No other player has dominated his hard court matches in such form as the world number one has done in recent months. Nevertheless, we can imagine that the Australian will pose a big challenge in the Jannik Sinner vs. Alexei Popyrin tip.
To do so, however, the 26-year-old will have to play his best tennis and build on his qualities as a giant killer from last year. During the 2024 US Open, Popyrin knocked then-defending champion Novak Djokovic out of the competition in the third round. We’re not going quite that far in our Jannik Sinner vs. Alexei Popyrin prediction for the second-round duel.
Both players came through their respective first-round matches relatively easily and celebrated smooth opening victories. Sinner swept past Vit Kopriva at breakneck speed, conceding only four games in the entire match (6-1, 6-1, 6-2). However, it was noticeable that the South Tyrolean was struggling with blisters on his hand.
Popyrin already played his first tiebreak in this tournament, which he won against Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori. In the end, the number 36 in the ATP world rankings triumphed 6-3, 6-4, 7-6. The 26-year-old claims to have become a better player compared to last season. The Jannik Sinner vs. Alexei Popyrin betting odds would tend to disagree.
If there were any question marks over the fitness of the world number one after his retirement in the last Masters final, these were dispelled by the South Tyrolean’s first appearance. However, the 24-year-old already played at least one tiebreak in three of five matches (excluding the final due to retirement) at the last tournament in Cincinnati.
Jannik Sinner – Alexei Popyrin Head-to-head record
The only previous meeting between these two opponents took place several years ago. In 2021, the Australian won 2-0 against Sinner. Interesting fact: even then, the two players played a tiebreak in the first set.
Since then, the South Tyrolean has become the number one in the ATP world rankings and has emerged as the absolute hard court dominator. Sinner has won the last three Grand Slam tournaments on hard courts and could become the first player since Roger Federer in 2008 to successfully defend his title at Flushing Meadows.
Jannik Sinner – Alexei Popyrin Tip
Popyrin is a challenger with potential. The Australian is known for his interest in tripping up top 10 players early in the tournament. This calendar year, he has a balanced record against top 10 players (2-2). Even over his entire career, the three-time ATP title winner has an impressive 43.3 percent win rate against this category of players.
The challenger is not quite at the level he was at last year, when Popyrin won the Masters tournament in Cincinnati ahead of the US Open. However, under coach Wayne Ferriere, the Australian is playing more clearly again and finding a better rhythm.
Popyrin’s nerves won’t get in his way. The only question is how long he can keep up with the defending champion. Especially at the beginning of the match, we can imagine a set in which both players gradually approach a decisive tiebreak.
