World no. 5 Daniil Medvedev extended his terrible streak at the Paris Masters. After winning the title in 2020 and playing in the final a year later, the Russian experienced three early losses in the French capital. He fell to Alex de Minaur and Grigor Dimitrov after tight battles in the previous two years before Alexei Popyrin delivered his fourth straight defeat! The Aussie prevailed over the former champion 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 in two and a half hours, earning his 11th top-10 triumph and the sixth of the season. Alexei led 4-1 in the decider before Daniil pulled the break back and earned a massive chance to emerge at the top after generating four break points in the ninth game. Popyrin saved them and grabbed three mini-breaks in the tie break to seal the deal and cause an upset.
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Crucial numbers in Popyrin's victory
Daniil claimed three points more than Alexei, but not the crucial ones. Despite hitting a career-high 14 double faults, world no. 5 produced more efficient numbers behind the first and second serve. The former champion defended seven of ten break points and grabbed four breaks from 13 opportunities, giving everything but ending on the losing side. Popyrin landed 31 winners and 50 unforced errors, struggling from both wings. Medvedev had 28 direct points and 36 errors, taming his strokes more efficiently and hitting six service winners more than the younger opponent.
In addition, Daniil had a massive advantage from the baseline, having the upper hand in all those elements! The mentioned numbers did not work in Alexei's favor, but he changed that in the net segment. The Aussie claimed 31 points after rushing forward, reducing his opponent to nine and building the advantage. The Russian forged a massive lead in the mid-range exchanges, with the lower-ranked rival staying in touch in the most advanced ones. Popyrin took charge in the quickest rallies up to four strokes, extending his chances in that area and crossing the finish line first.
Alexei overcomes a slow start and takes the opener
Daniil made a reliable start and climbed back on the return in the third game, targeting the rival's backhand and delivering a break for an early advantage. Medvedev served well in the fourth game, producing a quick hold and cementing the advantage. Popyrin held at love in the fifth game and took charge in the rest of the set, keeping the pressure on the other side. The Aussie attacked on the return in the sixth game and generated three break chances with a smash winner. The Russian hit a couple of double faults, losing serve at love and bringing his rival back to the positive side.
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Alexei produced his second straight hold at love in the seventh game after a wild forehand from Daniil, turning the tables and moving in front. Medvedev faced more issues behind the initial shot in the eighth game, defending four break points and remaining on the positive side. World no. 5 served to stay in the set at 4-5 and sprayed a forehand error, offering his opponent a set point. The Russian survived and erased another, doing everything to extend the battle. However, the Aussie landed a forehand winner for the third set point and converted it after a double fault from world no. 5, wrapping up the opener 6-4 in 45 minutes.
Daniil bounces back in the second set
With no room for errors, the 2020 champion raised his level in the second set and outplayed his rival on serve and return. Daniil held at 15 in the second game and leveled the score at 2-2 with a hold at love. Alexei struggled in the fifth game, playing against three break points and losing serve after spraying a forehand error. Medvedev held at 15 in the sixth game and made another push on the return in the next one. Popyrin played against three break points in the seventh game and got broken for the second straight time after his rival passed him at the net. The Russian served for the set at 5-2 and welcomed the rival's backhand error, introducing a decider after an hour and 22 minutes.
Popyrin squanders a 4-1 lead in the final set and struggles before prevailing
Alexei clinched the first game of the final set after deuces and stepped in on the return at 2-1. Daniil sprayed another costly double fault, losing serve and falling behind. Popyrin held in the next one, moving 4-1 in front and closer to the finish line. However, Medvedev launched his comeback and pulled the break back in game seven when his rival placed a forehand wide. The Aussie faced the ultimate challenge in the ninth game, playing against four break points and standing on the verge of the exit door. Alexei maintained his focus and denied them, holding and surviving. The set went into a tie break after three comfortable holds, and Popyrin fired a forehand winner in the second point for an early advantage. The servers took the following five points before Daniil passed his rival at the net in the eighth point for 4-4. The Russian hit a double fault at 4-5, offering the Aussie two match points and hitting the exit door after Alexei's volley winner at the net.
