New York, USA, 1 September 2022 | Leigh Rogers
Six years ago, a 16-year-old Alexei Popyrin faced Diego Schwartzman in his first-ever professional match.
Played at an ATP Challenger tournament in Canberra, then world No.89 Schwartzman dismissed the unranked wildcard in straight sets.
Their second career meeting comes on a much larger stage, facing off in the second round at this year’s US Open.
Popyrin, who at 196 centimetres now towers above the 170-centimetre Argentine, is ranked No.84 and looking to advance to the US Open third round for the third time in his young career.
The 30-year-old Schwartzman, a two-time US Open quarterfinalist, is currently ranked No.16 and aiming to progress to the third round at Flushing Meadows for the fifth time in six years.
Their rematch looms as a must-see encounter on an exciting day four schedule, which features 13 Australian players competing across singles and doubles events.
The US Open is broadcast on the Nine Network and Stan Sport in Australia, with coverage beginning from 1am AEST.
Aussies in action:
James Duckworth (AUS) v [20] Dan Evans (GBR)
Men’s singles, second round, Court 12, first match (from 1am AEST)
World No.83 Duckworth is through to the US Open second round for the first time in six years and has matched his career-best result at the tournament. The 30-year-old is now hoping to score his first top-50 win at a Grand Slam when he faces 32-year-old Brit and world No.23 Evans. “It’ll be a tough battle,” Duckworth said. “(I’m) looking forward to the challenge. Evo’s a great player, he’s been really consistent the last three or four years.”
Head-to-head record: Evans leads 1-0
Last meeting: Evans won 6-2 6-2 (Stockton, October 2018)
Alexei Popyrin (AUS) v [14] Diego Schwartzman (ARG)
Men’s singles, second round, Court 11, third match
Popyrin is no stranger to upsetting top 20-ranked opponents in New York, defeating world No.18 Grigor Dimitrov in the second round last year. Can the 23-year-old Australian repeat history against 14th seed Schwartzman? The world No.84 is looking to improve his 5-2 career win-loss record in New York. Schwartzman, a former world No.8, is a two-time quarterfinalist and owns a 15-8 career record at the tournament.
Head-to-head record: Schwartzman leads 1-0
Last meeting: Schwartzman won 6-3 6-2 (Canberra, January 2016)
> VIEW: US Open 2022 men’s singles draw
Jason Kubler (AUS) v [22] Frances Tiafoe (USA)
Men’s singles, second round,…
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