Australians Alexei Popyrin and Maya Joint have made a triumphant return to New York, a year after their remarkable performances at the US Open. Popyrin, who achieved the biggest victory of his career during last year’s tournament, has started his 2025 campaign on a high note at Flushing Meadows.
Popyrin began his US Open journey with a commanding 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(7/3) win over Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori. The match, which lasted just over two hours, saw Popyrin deliver 10 aces and 44 winners, showcasing his powerful play. However, his next challenge will be significantly tougher as he faces top seed Jannik Sinner in the second round.
Facing the Top Seed: Popyrin vs. Sinner
The upcoming match against Sinner is not unfamiliar territory for Popyrin. Last year, he famously defeated Novak Djokovic in the round of 16, and this year, he 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 remarked confidently.
Popyrin actually holds a head-to-head advantage over Sinner, having won their only previous encounter at the Madrid Masters on clay in 2021. Meanwhile, Sinner has recently overcome illness concerns to decisively defeat Czech world number 89 Vit Kopřiva in his opening match.
Burnout and Recovery: Popyrin’s Unique Approach
Amidst the increasing demands on professional tennis players, Popyrin has turned to unconventional methods to manage burnout. He credits science-fiction books and the music of Ed Sheeran as therapeutic outlets that have helped him maintain his mental well-being. This approach has seemingly paid off, as Popyrin continues to perform at a high level.
Maya Joint’s Breakthrough Victory
On the women’s side, Maya Joint has also made headlines with her first major win of 2025. Returning as the world number 43, Joint secured a hard-fought victory against Victoria Jiménez Kasintseva, winning 6-4, 7-6(8/6). This win marks a significant milestone in Joint’s career, following first-round exits in the other three Grand Slams this year.
Joint’s rise in the rankings has been meteoric, having started the 2024 season ranked 684th. Her success this year includes two WTA titles on clay in Morocco and grass at Eastbourne. Her Billie Jean King Cup teammate, Ajla Tomljanović, has expressed confidence in Joint’s potential, stating there is “no ceiling” to what she might achieve.
Challenges Ahead: Joint’s Next Test
Joint’s victory over Kasintseva was not without its challenges. The young Andorran player put up a strong fight, especially in the second set, earning set points at 5-3 and again in the tiebreak. However, Joint’s resilience shone through as she clinched the win, setting up a second-round clash with eighth-seeded American Amanda Anisimova.
In this upcoming match, Joint will seek to reach the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career. The encounter with Anisimova also presents an opportunity for Joint to avenge her compatriot Kim Birrell, who was defeated by Anisimova in the first round.
Other Australian Contenders
Elsewhere in the tournament, Ajla Tomljanović is set to face third seed Coco Gauff, while Alex de Minaur will play against fellow Australian Chris O’Connell. Tristan Schoolkate is also in action, taking on Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego. These matches highlight the strong Australian presence at this year’s US Open, with several players poised to make deep runs.
The US Open continues to be a platform for both seasoned players and rising stars to showcase their talents, and the performances of Popyrin and Joint underscore Australia’s promising future in tennis. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on these athletes as they navigate their paths to potential glory at Flushing Meadows.
