Australia’s Alexei Popyrin has let a 4-1 first set lead slip away as he lost to Portugal’s world no. 51 Joao Sousa 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. Sousa is the defending champion.
Embed from Getty ImagesPopyrin was in complete control early in the match but then let his opponent back into the match with the score going to 4-4.
The 19-year-old Australian then had six break point opportunities in the ninth game, but failed to convert.
He was made to pay dearly as he was then broken again to see the set slip away 6-4.
Popyrin, did not let the disappointment of losing the first set get to him. He came back strong in the second set to level the match at a set a piece but he could not maintain momentum in the third set.
The Australian, currently ranked at no. 113 misses an opportunity to close in on an all-important top-100 ranking. He sits at no. 110 on the live rankings after earning points from qualifying.
In an earlier all-Australian match, John Millman defeated Bernard Tomic 6-3, 6-0.
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