Alexei Popyrin hails Stan Wawrinka as an INSPIRATION putting him next to Big-3 after his Croatia Open title
Popyrin defeated the three-time Major winner Wawrinka in a 2-hour and 36-minute battle.
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(L) Stan Wawrinka, (R) Alexei Popyrin (Credits: Sky Sports /Sporting News)
Alexei Popyrin, 23, won his second ATP Tour title in the scenic city of Umag in a spectacular exhibition of skill and dedication. Popyrin defeated seasoned veteran Stan Wawrinka in the final, displaying great resilience to secure the hard-fought triumph.
Popyrin‘s path to the Umag final was defined by outstanding performances throughout the competition. He demonstrated his promise and talent on the professional tennis circuit. The young Australian earlier won his first ATP Tour title on indoor hard courts in Singapore in 2021, laying the groundwork for a great career.
When a physical concern developed during the match, Popyrin faced a moment of uncertainty, requiring the physio to step in. The prospect of withdrawing from the final was being debated. It would have meant an unsatisfactory conclusion to the day’s events. His unflinching drive, on the other hand, as he decided to continue playing, ensured a stellar contest.
After winning the match, the Aussie was in shock as he had just defeated a player that he grew up watching. In the post-match interview, he said, “It’s unbelievable honor to play someone like Stan in a final. I grew up watching him, Roger, Rafa, & Novak play. To play him in a final & beat him.. words can’t describe how happy I am. It’s an unbelievable feeling.”
Alexei Popyrin won the match despite painful cramps
Australia’s Alexei Popyrin demonstrated tremendous grit and resilience in the final. He fought back from a set down and battled cramping to end Stan Wawrinka’s dreams of winning an ATP Title after 6 years. This win added to his accomplishments and cemented his image as a rising star in the world of tennis.
Popyrin, ranked 91 in the world currently, defeated the three-time Major winner Wawrinka in a 2-hour and 36-minute battle. The intensity of the match kept spectators on the edge of their seats as Popyrin won with a score of 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4.
Wawrinka, 38, who was seeking his 17th career title since Geneva 2017, demonstrated his signature fighting attitude. He won the tie-breaker after rebounding from a 3-5 deficit in the first set. However, Popyrin, who is 15 years Wawrinka’s junior, refused to be outdone and won the second set to tie the match.
The crucial moments occurred in the final set, with Popyrin getting an early break edge only to see Wawrinka mount a valiant rally and retake the break. As the match neared its conclusion, the young Australian began to develop cramps due to the heavy and humid conditions, prompting him to seek medical attention from the physio. Despite the physical barrier, he remained resolute in his determination, going ahead and obtaining the hard-fought victory.
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Navya Mishra
(407 Articles Published)