Australia’s Alex Popyrin has claimed his first ATP title at the ATP250 in Singapore.
After being broken in the first set Popyrin switched to another gear. He was returning well against a huge serve and both backhands and forehands were well struck.
The Australian raced through the second set to
Popyrin had a break point at 30-40, 2-3 with Bublik saving it after Bublik played a drop shot that Popyrin then hit long.
He didn’t have to wait long for another opportunity. Another drop shot took Popyrin to the net and this time Popyrin hit his next shot into the net.
A big backhand down the line winner gave Bublik Ad. It was back to deuce after Popyrin hit a second serve return deep, that forced an error from Bublik.
Another break point came and on a second serve Bublik hit a 217km serve that forced an error from the Australian.
A shot hit long by Bublik saw the players back at deuce. Bublik went for a big second serve that was 219km, but it was into the net.
This time a 220km second serve was hit long to see back to back double faults hand Popyrin the vital break.
Popyrin hadn’t lost a point on serve since mid way through the first set but he lost the opening point as he looked to consolidate the break.
A shot on the line on the next point got the score to 15-15. A nice drop volley made it 30-15.
Just to show how good his was feeling the ball on his strings the Australian hit a superb half volley drop shot that Bublik reached but he could only hit it up to Popyrin for an easy put away.
The game ended with an Ace to see the score at 5-2.
A forehand winner saw Popyrin with his first match and championship point. A double fault handed him the win and his first ATP title.
The final score was 4-6, 6-0, 6-2.
Popyrin won an impressive 94% of 1st serves won and had 76% won on second serves. He broke 5 times from 10 opportunities and faced just one break point on his serve, that coming in the first set.
It was almost a flawless match apart from one game where he was broken.
Popyrin will rise to a career high ranking of 82.