Nick Kyrgios despatched out a brief however highly effective message to Alexei Popyrin after he upset Novak Djokovic because the 2022 Wimbledon finalist believes his 25-year-old compatriot has what it takes to make all of it the best way on the US Open.
On Friday night in New York, the world No. 28 surprised the defending champion 6-4 6-2 2-6 6-4 to progress into the round-of-16 at Flushing Meadows.
For the Australian, this was simply one more big consequence for him that got here in August. Beforehand, he gained his maiden Masters title in Montreal. Together with his newest win, Popyrin improved to 9-1 throughout this yr’s North American hard-court swing forward of going through house favourite Frances Tiafoe.
And Kyrgios – who is just not competing on the US Open this yr however is current since he works as a commentator and analyst for ESPN – is impressed by what he has been seeing from the brand new three-time ATP champion.
“So joyful for pop man. His consistency is one thing I used to be on the lookout for my complete profession. Genuinely joyful man. You will have what it takes to win a slam. Bro, go get it,” he wrote on X after Popyrin surprised Djokovic.
So joyful for pop man. His consistency is one thing I used to be on the lookout for my complete profession. Genuinely joyful man. You will have what it takes to win a slam. Bro, go get it. https://t.co/KoRtQ6aXO6
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) August 31, 2024
Popyrin had a sense this might occur
The night time earlier, Botic van de Zandschulp accomplished a shock straight-set win over Carlos Alcaraz after fully outplaying the four-time Grand Slam champion. After Popyrin wakened and noticed what occurred at Arthur Ashe Stadium throughout Thursday’s night session, he turned to his girlfriend and immediately began questioning how there was no purpose for him to not assume that he could not do the identical.
“I wakened within the morning and confirmed my girlfriend right away in shock. It was loopy. Outcomes like that occur. I assumed to myself, why not me as we speak?” the Australian shared in his presser.
After shedding of their first three conferences, the 25-year-old lastly has a win over Djokovic. Beforehand, the Serb beat this yr’s Montreal Masters champion in 2019 Tokyo earlier than additionally sealing four-set wins at this yr’s Australian Open and Wimbledon.
“In the present day was one thing that I type of thought I might do. My two experiences in opposition to him earlier this yr in Australian Open and Wimbledon type of gave me the arrogance to go on the market tonight and imagine that I might win and really do it and imagine it. So once I did it, it type of felt that type of proved me proper,” Popyrin mentioned.
Down by two units, Djokovic bounced again within the third set by incomes three breaks and routinely forcing a fourth set. In these moments, it in all probability regarded to some that the No. 2 seed would go on to make an enormous comeback – like many occasions previously.
And the Serb’s opponent had that in thoughts and was eager on not permitting that to occur to him.
“There are numerous occasions when he is come again from two units to like down. And I did not wish to be a type of moments the place Novak type of stepped up and got here again from two units to like down. That was going via my head. It was type of further motivation for me not to try this and to win that fourth set,” Popyrin famous.
Djokovic’s confession and if Popyrin can win the US Open
After blasting 14 doubles faults – making simply 58 % of his first serve – and profitable simply 46 % of his second serve factors, the four-time US Open champion ripped it as one among his “rost performances.”
“Congratulations to him and his staff. He positively performed higher and deserved to win as we speak. On my finish, truthfully, the best way I felt and the best way I performed from the start of this event, third spherical is successful. I imply, I’ve performed a number of the worst tennis I’ve ever performed, truthfully, serving by far the worst ever,” he mentioned.
The present world No. 2 could not have been the happiest about his play however he additionally made certain to provide credit score to Popyrin and in addition prompt that he ought to positively be seen as somebody who might go all the best way.
“I do not know what to make of that query. I imply, look, he is simply crushed me, the defending champion right here, so, I imply, he deserves credit score for that and respect. If he serves effectively, performs effectively, he can beat anyone,” Djokovic mentioned.
“Look, Alcaraz is out, I am out, , some huge upsets. The draw is opening up. Clearly Sinner is the primary favourite, however then, , Tiafoe is there in addition to American favourite Fritz. Zverev, you may have nice guys enjoying effectively, and Rublev, Dimitrov on this a part of the draw. Anyone can take it. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see who takes the title ultimately.”
