Alexei Popyrin is vowing to “stay in the moment” as he strives to parlay his rich form into an audacious US Open title triumph.
As speed demon Alex de Minaur cools his jets, Popyrin spearheads a seven-strong Australian challenge on the opening day of the season’s final grand slam in New York.
Seeded for the first time at a slam, the world No.28 opens his campaign against Soonwoo Kwon on Monday (Tuesday AEST), a fortnight after becoming the first Australian in 21 years to snare a prestigious ATP 1000 crown.
The mighty feat has eluded the likes of de Minaur, Nick Kyrgios and former US Open junior champion Bernard Tomic over the past two decades.
But with seeded status also comes hype and pressure for the Montreal Masters champion.
It’s why Popyrin isn’t making any bold promises ahead of his opener, focusing only on Kwon.
A one-time world No.52, Kwon is playing on an injury-protected ranking after being sidelined for months with a shoulder issue and slumping to No.342.
Popyrin, though, is treating the South Korean with the utmost respect.
“I don’t think any match will come easy at the US Open,” he told AAP.
“You’re not guaranteed a walk in the park. It’s nothing like that.
“Every player outside the top 32 can play tennis. Every single match is going to be super, super tough.
“If you go in thinking it’s going to be a walk in the park until around three, then you’re going to lose first round.
“So I know it’s a cliche answer but I’m going to take it one match at a time because that’s literally how it is for me.”
In career-best form, the 25-year-old took down five top-20 rivals in a row, including three from the top 10, to reign in Canada.
Significantly, given the hot and steamy conditions in New York, he also feels supremely fit and ready to go the distance if confronted with the grand slam grind of five-set tennis.
“I’m feeling amazing, probably the best I felt physically my whole career,” Popyrin said.
“We’re putting in the hard work for me to be able to feel like this, which is important.
“I’ve played a lot of five setters and been able to get past a few so I do love five-set matches.
“I feel like they’re my kind of favourite maybe because there’s so many momentum changes.
“There’s so many points in the match that you can take advantage of or kind of lose the advantage and, for me, that’s what tennis is also about.”
If he lives up to his 28th seeding, Popyrin could face defending champion Novak Djokovic in the third round in what would be the pair’s third grand slam tussle of the year.
The super Serb needed four sets to prevail both times at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, but Popyrin is refusing to entertain the prospect of another showdown with the 24-times major winner, publicly at least.
“Like I said, I like to stay in the moment,” he said.
Countryman Rinky Hijikata, who made the fourth round as a wildcard last year, and debutant Adam Walton also open their campaigns on Monday, as do four Australian women.
Former quarter-finalist Alja Tomljanovic and teenager qualifier Maya Joint both face unseeded players.
Kim Birrell plays Paris Olympics silver medallist Donna Vekic, the 24th seed, while fellow qualifier Priscilla Hon will really have her work cut out against back-to-back Australian Open champion and world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka.
The 10th-seeded de Minaur is among 13 Australians scheduled for first-round action on Tuesday.
AUSSIES IN FIRST-ROUND ACTION ON DAY ONE OF THE US OPEN IN NEW YORK (TUESDAY AEST)
MEN
28-Alexei Popyrin v Soonwoo Kwon (KOR)
Rinky Hijikata v Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP)
Adam Walton v Alexandre Muller (FRA)
WOMEN
Priscilla Hon v 2-Aryna Sabalenka (BLR)
Kim Birrell v 24-Donna Vekic (CRO)
Maya Joint v Laura Siegemund (GER)
Alja Tomljanovic v Ann Li (USA)
