Alexei Popyrin spoke confidently pre-match that he could find a way to compete with Jannik Sinner – but he was no match for the world No.1 in a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 demolition in barely two hours.
Popyrin won their only previous clash four years ago on clay in Madrid, but Sinner is a different player these days. Even while landing barely half his first serves and having a couple of tricky service games to negotiate, the Italian superstar proved far too good.
Jannik Sinner ended Alexei Popyrin’s 2025 US Open in straight sets in the second round.Credit: Getty Images
“Today, it felt like we both didn’t serve great, but I was returning very well, especially on second serves, so I’m very happy with today,” Sinner said on court afterwards.
“Obviously, I’m aiming to improve the serve, but honestly, the rest [of my game], I feel quite comfortable.”
Sinner hit 26 winners to Popyrin’s 22, and they both committed 20 unforced errors, but the key differences were their service points won.
Where Sinner won 80 per cent of first-serve points and 60 per cent on second serve, Popyrin managed only 61 per cent and 32 per cent, respectively. The towering Australian was under constant pressure, and was unable to convert the few chances he generated.
