Fast rise for young Aussie gun

IN JUNE, 2017, Alexei Popyrin was finding his way, literally, on the international circuit.

At Roland Garros, while contesting the French Open junior singles championship, Sydney-born Popyrin gave the first hints of prodigious talent.

Staying in modest suburban accommodation with his family, Popyrin walked to the courts each day, taking formative strides towards to prominence.

He became the first Australian in 49 years to win the boys’ title, joining Australian grand slam greats Roy Emerson, Ken Rosewall and John Newcombe on the honour roll.

If that was not evidence enough of Popyrin’s burgeoning talent, further confirmation came on two other fronts.

Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena Williams’ coach and owner of the French academy where Spanish-based Popyrin trains, spoke glowingly of the spindly baseliner.

And Dominic Thiem, en route to the French Open semi-finals, thought enough of the youngster to invite him to warm him up.

Today, Popyrin will face Thiem in grand slam battle, such has been the Australian’s progress.

For Popyrin, who spent time in Dubai before relocating to Alicante to better understand the nuance of claycourt tennis, the rise has come faster than he dared dream.

“My goal at the start of last year was to get to (No.) 250 (in the world),” Popyrin said. “Getting to 150 was something my whole team didn’t expect.”