Alexei Popyrin Advances Fourth Round French Open Last Australian Standing

Australian tennis player Alexei Popyrin has advanced to the fourth round of the French Open for the first time in his career, becoming the last Australian man remaining in the tournament after top seed Alex de Minaur's early exit. Popyrin defeated Portugal's Nuno Borges in straight sets in challenging hot conditions, demonstrating composure and aggressive serving, including 12 aces and winning over 80% of first-serve points. Despite some mental lapses, Popyrin managed to close out the match in three hours without dropping a set, reflecting a level of maturity and consistency that has previously eluded him. This achievement marks his second time reaching the last 16 at a Grand Slam, following his performance at the 2024 US Open, and places him among notable Australian players who have made deep runs at Roland Garros. Popyrin is focused on continuing his run, next set to face 12th seed Tommy Paul in a match that could see him advance further in a major tournament. His progress is seen as a positive development for Australian tennis, especially given his past struggles with injuries and inconsistency.