Wimbledon 2024: Novak Djokovic vs. Alexei Popyrin preview, predictions and live stream details
Novak Djokovic faces Alexei Popyrin for the second time this year.
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Novak Djokovic and Alexei Popyrin (Images via Imago)
The 24-year-old Australian Alexei Popyrin has been making appearances at Grand Slam events for many years now but is yet to make it past the third round at that level. He finds himself with an opportunity to do that as he clawed past Thiago Monteiro and Tomas Etcheverry in four and five sets respectively to set up a third-round meeting with a resurgent Novak Djokovic.
The World No.2 and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic was seemingly in his best form at Wimbledon after his knee surgery, demolishing Vit Kopriva 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 in his first match on grass this year.
However, British youngster Jacob Fearnley had some tough questions to pose for the Serb. Djokovic was on his way to another straight sets win when Fearnley, who was a wildcard playing just his second-ever tour-level match, played inspired tennis to snatch the third set 7-5. He was in the lead throughout the fourth set, but Djokovic held strong, converting it 7-5 to secure a spot in the third round.
Novak Djokovic vs. Alexei Popyrin: Match Details
- Tournament: Wimbledon 2024
- Match: Novak Djokovic vs. Alexei Popyrin
- Round: Third Round (Round of 32)
- Date: July 6, 2024
- Time: TBD
- Venue: Wimbledon, London
- Court: TBD
- Surface: Outdoor Grass
Novak Djokovic vs. Alexei Popyrin: Match Preview
The pair of Novak Djokovic and Alexei Popyrin have already met each other at the Grand Slam level early this year in Australia, in the second round. Djokovic, who has almost all the records at Melbourne Park, faced some pushback from the hometown boy in that match but managed to pull through in four sets, winning 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-3 in that match.
The two had also faced off in Tokyo at an ATP 500 event in 2019, where Djokovic had dispatched the Australian in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2. Their upcoming meeting at Wimbledon will be their third ever and will be a match to look forward to as it may provide better insights into Djokovic’s physical condition and also Popyrin’s form at the moment.
Novak Djokovic vs. Alexei Popyrin: Match Prediction
The vast difference in experience between Djokovic and Popyrin has been visible in their previous encounters and facing Djokovic at the Australian Open and also at Wimbledon in the same year is a tough ask for anybody. Popyrin had to use everything he had to edge past 30th-seeded Etcheverry 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. He also had a tough match against Monteiro in the first round. It remains to be seen how he will fare against his toughest opponent so far.
Djokovic has been displaying tennis of the highest level so far in the tournament but he has not faced an opponent ranked inside the top 100. Kopriva, his first-round opponent, was ranked 123 while Fearnley was ranked 277. Despite this, he has the upper hand againstPopyrin, as he is a seven-time Wimbledon champion and knows his way around matches of this level. He may be pushed a little but is in a good position to make it to yet another second-week appearance at the All-England Club.
Match Prediction: Novak Djokovic to win in four sets.
Novak Djokovic vs. Alexei Popyrin: Live Stream Details
- USA: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes, ABC, Tennis Channel
- UK and Europe (Except France): BBC, Eurosport
- France: beIN Sports France
- Australia: Nine & Stan Sport
- Canada: ESPN International, TSN/RDS
- India: Disney+ Hotstar
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