It has been a fantastic week for Australian teenagers. 18 year-old Alexei Popyrin follows up the success of his compatriot Alex De Minaur in Brisbane by taking a massive win in the Sydney Qualifying event. Popyrin, ranked No.621, won 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 against Argentina’s No.68 in one hour and fifty minutes.
It marks a poor start to the season for Delbonis, who was beaten in the first round of the Brisbane International by another teenager in American Michael Mmoh.
21 year-old Aussie Aleksandar Vukic took out 4th seed Dusan Lajovic 7-5, 7-6. Vukic ranked No.465 overcame 390 ranking places difference to win.
In other matches 6th seed Ricardas Berankis defeated Matthew Barton 7-5, 6-3, and 5th seed Nicolas Mahut defeated Christopher O’Connell 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. Top seed Daniil Medvedev had few problems in defeating fellow Russian Alexander Zhurbin 6-1, 6-2.
The main draw will begin on Monday, after qualifying has been concluded. There is still one round of qualifying to go.
Albert Ramos-Vinolas is the top seed in the main draw. The Spaniard is joined by Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller, the defending champion. Brisbane semi-finalist Alex De Minaur has been handed a special exemption after his strong performance. He will play an enticing encounter with tour veteran and former Top 10 star Fernando Verdasco.
