In Umag, resurgent Australian Alexei Popyrin has progressed to his first ATP final in two-and-a-half years, and will face Stan Wawrinka for the trophy.
Umag, Croatia, 29 July 2023 | Matt Trollope
Umag, Croatia
Alexei Popyrin will play for his second career ATP title, and first in two-and-a-half years, when he tackles three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka in the Umag final.
Popyrin advanced to the title match following a marathon 6-7(2) 7-5 6-3 triumph over Matteo Arnaldi, a battle lasting three hours and 16 minutes.
Arnaldi became the first player this week to take a set off Popyrin, who has now won 14 of his 20 clay-court matches in 2023.
The 23-year-old Aussie, currently ranked 90th, has improved to No.73 in the ATP live rankings.
It marks his first ATP final since he went all the way to the title in Singapore in February 2021.
Sunday’s final in Umag will be his first meeting with Wawrinka.
Aussies in action – Umag
RESULTS
Men’s singles, semifinals
Alexei Popyrin (AUS) d [7] Matteo Arnaldi (ITA) 6-7(2) 7-5 6-3
COMING UP
Men’s singles, final
Alexei Popyrin (AUS) v [6] Stan Wawrinka (SUI)
Atlanta, USA
In a doubles semifinal featuring three Aussies, Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson overcame John Peers and his Brazilian partner Marcelo Melo to reach their second ATP final as a team in 2023.
Purcell and Thompson beat third seeds Peers and Melo 7-6(4) 6-3 to improve to 10-2 this season; earlier this week they beat No.1 seeds Jamie Murray and Michael Venus.
They will aim to add the ATP Atlanta title to the trophy they won together in Houston in April.
In singles, Aleksandar Vukic is appearing in his first ATP semifinal and has just commenced his match against Frenchman Ugo Humbert.
The winner will progress to a final showdown against No.1 seed Taylor Fritz, who beat fellow American JJ Wolf earlier on Saturday.
Aussies in action – Atlanta
RESULTS
Men’s singles, semifinals
Aleksandar Vukic (AUS) v [7] Ugo Humbert (FRA) – in progress
Men’s doubles, semifinals
Max Purcell (AUS)/Jordan Thompson (AUS) d John Peers (AUS)/Marcelo Melo (BRA) 7-6(4) 6-3
COMING UP
Men’s doubles, final
Max Purcell (AUS)/Jordan Thompson (AUS) v TBC
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