Novak Djokovic and Alexei Popyrin will play their first match since Tokyo 2019
On Wednesday, Novak Djokovic and Alexei Popyrin will battle at Rod Laver Arena in the second round of the Australian Open. It will be their first duel since Tokyo 2019, and Alexei is ready to take charge and challenge world no.
1 in front of the home fans. Popyrin recalled their first encounter, qualifying for the main draw at the ATP 500 event and losing to Djokovic 6-4, 6-2 in an hour and 29 minutes. The Aussie admitted he could not challenge the Serb physically.
However, things are much different four years later, with the Sydney native hoping to impose his A-game and make the defending champion run for his money. Before their anticipated duel, let’s dive into the 2019 Tokyo clash.
World no. 1 Djokovic debuted in Tokyo against Popyrin, playing his first match since the US Open and a shoulder injury that forced him to retire. A teenager stayed in touch with the world’s best player in the opener, leading 4-3 before Novak rattled off nine of the final 11 games, sailing over the finish line.
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