Alexei Popyrin has earned himself a very first meeting with Frances Tiafoe as he looks to make the US Open quarter-finals.
Popyrin stunned defending champion Novak Djokovic in the third round to set up a US Open round of 16 clash with Tiafoe.
The duo have both been flying high in 2024, but the Australian and the American have never met competitively on the ATP Tour.
Tiafoe has reached the fourth round after a stunning win over compatriot Ben Shelton, with the pair playing out a five-set thriller.
Tennis fans were angry at Tiafoe’s early match, where he overcame his fellow American 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-3.
Alexei Popyrin explains his relationship with Frances Tiafoe ahead of their US Open match
Popyrin meanwhile beat his opponent 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, also at Arthur Ashe Stadium, with Djokovic having struggled mentally.
The Australian has now looked ahead to his meeting with Tiafoe, saying in his latest US Open press conference: “He is actually a really good friend of mine and we get along really well off the court.
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“It will be interesting to play against him. We have practised a bunch of times. He is a very tricky player. He has one of the best hands on tour and likes to come into the net a lot, that’s going to be the tough part.
“I am going to have to play my game, serve well. Today I felt like I didn’t really serve that well considering the percentages and stuff so I will have to improve on that.
“Honestly playing Frances will be quite an experience because there have been a few times where I have lost the round before having to play Frances and he’s always telling me why do you keep losing before we play each other. Luckily this time I was able to do it and hopefully this time it will be a good match.”
Alexei Popyrin secures his best-ever Grand Slam position
Popyrin is rightfully in good spirits ahead of the match, having not only beaten the second seed, but also the defending champion and indeed a 24-time Grand Slam winner.
Djokovic certainly hasn’t been at his best in 2024, with the veteran having been impacted by his knee injury.
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But he still remained a huge threat going into the US Open, having lifted the trophy in 2023 but also having just won an Olympic gold medal.
Popyrin overcame the Serbian at the fourth time of asking, with the Australian having now clinched his best-ever Grand Slam finish.
Tiafoe meanwhile boasts a semi-final run at the 2022 US Open, and will have grand plans to reach at least that stage this time around after losing to Shelton in last year’s quarter-final.
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