Popyrin’s lucky day in Cincinnati: From down and out, to the first man in the round of 16

Alexei Popyrin has had quite a day, going from out of the tournament to being the first man in the 2023 Cincinnati Masters round of 16

Bren Gray

August 15, 2023

Cincinnati Open •Second round • completed

See draw

A. PopyrinvsD. Altmaier

It’s been some day for Alexei Popyrin at the Cincinnati Masters.

In qualifying, the Australian lost in the second round to compatriot Max Purcell, dropping a tough 6-7 (6), 7-5, 6-4 match which lasted just shy of three hours.

Today, however, Popyrin received a lucky loser entry into the main draw of the Cincinnati Masters, courtesy of Karen Khachanov being unable to compete.

Alexei Popyrin woke up and won the lottery

10:58am – Popyrin enters Cincy main draw as LL for Khachanov; faces Altmaier (LL for Murray) in R1

1:53pm – Awaiting the winner in R2, Jarry withdraws as his wife is about to give birth

2:04pm – Popyrin d. Altmaier; first man into R16
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) August 15, 2023

Popyrin edged out Altmaier 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4, who was also a lucky loser (for Andy Murray), advancing to the second round of the Cincinnati Masters at the Linder Tennis Family Center.

Upon completion of the match, Popyrin learnt that Chilean Nicolas Jarry, his second round opponent, had withdrawn from the tournament, the Chilean receiving news that his wife was about to give birth.

From being out of the tournament, to being the first man in the round of 16 within the space of three hours, it’s certainly been a rollercoaster of a day for Alexei Popyrin.