Alexei Popyrin and Ajla Tomljanovic cruise as Australian teen makes US Open debut in style

Alexei Popyrin lived up to his star billing at the US Open to be the first Australian winner on day one at Flushing Meadows before being joined in the second round by exciting teenage prospect Maya Joint, fan favourite Rinky Hijikata, and 2022 women’s quarter-finalist Ajla Tomljanovic. Popyrin cruised past Sonwoon Kwon without even hitting top gear, the recently-crowned Montreal Masters champion eventually progressing with a 7-5 6-2 6-3 win in a tick over two hours.
Seeded for the first time at a slam, Popyrin crunched 14 aces, broke the South Korean six times while only dropping his own serve once all match. Victory edged the 25-year-old to within one more win of a likely third-round Saturday night showstopper with the history-chasing defending champion Novak Djokovic.
Popyrin next faces unseeded Spaniard Pedro Martinez in the second round on Wednesday (Thursday AEST). Chasing an unprecedented 25th singles major, Djokovic will meet fellow Serb Laslo Djere after opening his campaign with a typically clinical 6-2 6-2 6-4 win over Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot in Monday night’s late match.
“I feel like I’ve had a lot of scenarios in my career where I had one more match, and then I would play a big match so I’ve kind of gotten used to focusing on the match that I’ve got in hand,” Popyrin said. “And then if I win that, then, yeah, obviously I’ve got Novak in the third.
“But, honestly, I’m just thinking of this match and not thinking about Novak.”
The 28th-seeded Popyrin and 18-year-old Joint led the way as Australia’s bumper 20-strong contingent made a hot start to the final slam of the year.
The much-hyped Joint didn’t disappoint on her grand slam main-draw debut, seeing off experienced German Laura Siegemund 6-4 7-5 to secure a career-high ranking on the cusp of the world’s top 100. The rising star let a 5-0 lead and one match point slip in the second set before clinching the biggest win of her budding career.
Win or lose next up against 14th seed Madison Keys, Joint will leave Flushing Meadows tantalisingly close to the rankings cut-off mark for Australian Open direct entry, as well as at least $US130,000 ($A192,000) richer for her efforts.
Bidding to back up his electrifying run to the fourth round last year as a wildcard, Hijikata fended off multiple set points in the first set against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina en route to a spirited 7-6 (7-1) 3-6 6-4 6-3 win over the Spaniard.
Two years after ending Serena Williams’ storied career on Arthur Ashe Stadium, Tomljanovic drew on the fond memories to also advance with a 6-4 6-4 win over American qualifier Ann Li.
But Kim Birrell bowed out with a 6-4 6-4 loss to Paris Olympics silver medallist Donna Vekic, the 24th seed. Despite the defeat, Birrell will herself depart with a cheque for $US100,000 ($A147,575) – the biggest prize in tennis history for a first-round loser at a major.
Adam Walton was unable to follow Popyrin into the second round, succumbing 3-6 7-6 (9-7) 6-3 6-4 to French wildcard Alexandre Muller.
One of a record five Australian women’s qualifiers, Priscilla Hon has an exciting opportunity against world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning back-to-back Australian Open champion in the feature women’s night match on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Another 13 Australians play on day two, including 10th seed Alex de Minaur opening his campaign against American Marcos Giron.