"I can cause trouble": Alexei Popyrin issues warning to Jannik Sinner, aims to exploit weaknesses at US Open

Australia’s Alexei Popyrin has issued a warning to world number one Jannik Sinner ahead of their second-round clash at the US Open. The 26-year-old secured his spot in the round of 64 after beating Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-4, 7-6.

On the other hand, Sinner, who is also defending his title at the ongoing competition, secured a thumping win in the first round against the Czech Republic’s Vit Kopriva in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 6-1, 6-2. It will be the second meeting between the two players in professional tennis.

In the previous meeting, which took place in the round of 32 of the Madrid Open in 2021, it was Popyrin who came out on top in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 6-2. Since then, however, significant changes have occurred in the world of tennis. Sinner is now widely regarded as one of the two best players in the world in men’s tennis. Not only that, but he has also won four Grand Slams. Two of those titles came earlier this year.

In January, Sinner lifted the Australian Open after beating Germany’s Alexander Zverev in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 7-6, 6-3. A few months later, Sinner lifted the Wimbledon title after beating world number two and then defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the final with a score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. In between that, Sinner came within touching distance of lifting the French Open title as well.

Unfortunately for him, he failed to capitalise any of the three championship points in the final as Alcaraz came from behind and secured a memorable triumph in a five-set thriller with a score of 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6. That match lasted more than five hours and officially became the second-longest final in the history of Grand Slams.

Despite all of that, Popyrin has now issued a warning to Sinner ahead of their matchup in the second round of the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year. Popyrin, while speaking to the press after securing a first-round win, admitted that his next round’s opponent is the ‘best in the world’ but reiterated that he will not be ‘starstruck’ by him. Popyrin was of the opinion that he was well-equipped to face a pressure situation while facing a big player.

"Jannik's the best in the world and is one of the best for a reason, but I don't feel too starstruck by the occasion," said Popyrin. "I've been in that position before. Last year is a great example of it. If I can stick to my game, if I can play the way that I want to play, then I can cause trouble. I've walked out on to Arthur Ashe Stadium before, so I know what to expect. Walking out against Novak, it was a little bit different because I played him on two previous occasions that year, and all in slams. But you're playing one of the top guys in the sport and they're the moments that I relish. They're the moments where I come out and play some of my best tennis, and I'm hoping that I can do that again."

Popyrin also highlighted that he has a game plan to overcome Sinner's challenge. He stated that he made those plans after learning a few things from an exhibition match earlier this year. "There's a game plan to beat everybody," said Popyrin. "Based on my past experiences against him, based off when I played against him in January (in an exhibition), I picked up a few things and I've got a pretty good memory when it comes to playing against players. I feel like if I play them once, I know what to expect from them next time. So in a way it was lucky for me to play him this year in January. I have a game plan, and I think everybody has some sort of weakness."