Winner of a big fight against the 25th seed (4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4), the Parisian will challenge the American qualifier Krueger in the 2nd round.
Very solid, the 69th in the world was also able to take advantage of a less physical move from his opponent from the second set. Popyrin thus called on the physiotherapist at 3-2 in favor of the Frenchman in the second round, complaining in particular of pain in his lower back. Before that, the 8th finalist at Roland-Garros 2024, had not been able to convert his nine break points. After losing the second set 6-4, Popyrin, on the verge of giving up, conceded the next seven games. Moutet won the set 6-3, then led 4-0 in the third set. Trailing 5-2, the Australian almost came back but lost 6-4. In the last act, Moutet, an opportunist, stole the opposing service at the best moment, at 4-4, then concluded on his third match point after more than 3:30 hours of play.
Moutet is the 8th and last Frenchman to qualify for the second round, out of a total of 13 entered in the men’s draw. He will try to reach the third round in Melbourne for the first time in his career. And against the American Mitchell Krueger (146th), from the qualifications, whom he has never met before, he will have a good card to play.
Morocco
