Australians Alexei Popyrin and Maya Joint have made a triumphant return to New York, a year after their memorable performances at the US Open. Popyrin, who celebrated the most significant victory of his career in the third round of last year’s tournament, started his campaign at Flushing Meadows with a commanding win. Meanwhile, Joint secured her first major victory of 2025, marking a significant milestone in her burgeoning career.
Popyrin kicked off his US Open journey with a straight-sets victory over Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori, winning 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(7/3). He dominated the match with 10 aces and 44 winners, dispatching the world number 752 in just over two hours. However, his next challenge will be a formidable one, as he faces top seed Jannik Sinner in the second round.
Popyrin’s Resilience and Unique Preparation
The announcement comes as Popyrin continues to build on his impressive track record at the US Open. Last year, he faced the defending champion Novak Djokovic and advanced to the round of 16. This year, Popyrin remains undaunted by the prospect of facing another top player.
“If you want to win these tournaments, you have to beat one of these players at some point,” Popyrin stated. “But for me, because I don’t have a number in front of my name, it just comes a round earlier than it could have been. I know my game, I know how I can play, and I know the trouble I can cause, so I’m not really worried about it.”
Popyrin holds a lead in his head-to-head record with Sinner, having won their only previous encounter at the Madrid Masters in 2021. Sinner, who recently overcame illness to defeat Czech world number 89 Vit Kopřiva, will be a challenging opponent.
Maya Joint’s Breakthrough and Rising Star
Meanwhile, Maya Joint’s victory over Victoria Jiménez Kasintseva, 6-4, 7-6(8/6), signifies her first major win of 2025. Joint, who started the 2024 season ranked 684th in the world, has rapidly ascended to the 43rd position, thanks to her remarkable performances this year.
Joint’s success story includes winning her first two WTA titles on clay in Morocco and grass at Eastbourne. Despite early exits in the first rounds of the other majors this year, the 19-year-old Queensland-based player has shown resilience and determination.
Ajla Tomljanović, Joint’s experienced Billie Jean King Cup teammate, praised her potential, stating, “There’s no ceiling on what she might achieve.”
“Joint demonstrated her temperament as world number 130 Kasintseva, another fine young talent at the age of just 20, put on the pressure in a 66-minute second set, twice earning set points at 5-3 and then again in the tiebreak at 6-5.”
Joint will now face Wimbledon finalist and eighth-seeded American Amanda Anisimova in the second round, seeking to reach the third round of a slam for the first time in her career.
Implications and Future Prospects
As Popyrin and Joint continue their campaigns, their performances highlight the depth of talent in Australian tennis. Popyrin’s upcoming match against Sinner will be a true test of his abilities, while Joint’s clash with Anisimova offers another opportunity to demonstrate her rising potential on the world stage.
Elsewhere, Ajla Tomljanović is set to face third seed Coco Gauff, while Alex de Minaur will compete against fellow Australian Chris O’Connell, and Tristan Schoolkate will take on Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.
The move represents a significant moment for Australian tennis, with both Popyrin and Joint poised to make further strides in their respective careers. Their performances at the US Open could serve as a springboard for future success, inspiring the next generation of Australian players.
