Alexei Popyrin Advances to Second Round at Roland Garros 2025

 Alexei Popyrin Advances to Second Round at Roland Garros 2025

Alexei Popyrin became the first Australian to reach the second round of Roland Garros 2025, following a truncated victory over Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka on Monday. Playing on Court 6, the 25th seed maintained control through most of the opening two sets before Nishioka was forced to retire due to injury.

Popyrin showed strong form throughout, firing 10 aces and 24 winners, while winning over 80 percent of points on his first serve. His dominance on serve helped him stay ahead in key moments of the match.

This spring, the Australian has now won seven of his 12 matches on European clay, with quarterfinal runs in Monte Carlo and Geneva boosting his confidence. Monday's result marks his return to the second round in Paris for the first time since 2019, when he debuted in the main draw at just 19 years old.

Now 25, Popyrin is aiming to reach the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time at Roland Garros. He will next face either Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo or Frenchman Arthur Cazaux.

On the other side of the net, Nishioka came into the tournament short on match fitness, having played only two matches since early February due to recurring injuries. After dropping a tight first set, he sought medical treatment for what appeared to be glute and lower back issues.

Despite the discomfort, the Japanese left-hander fought hard in the second set. Popyrin created six break point chances across three different games before finally converting his seventh to go up 4-3. From there, he secured the set and looked well on his way to a commanding first-round win.

However, the end came quicker than expected. Just three games into the third set, Nishioka’s physical condition deteriorated rapidly, and he was forced to retire, handing Popyrin safe passage into round two.

Eight years after lifting the boys’ singles trophy in Paris, Popyrin is now targeting his maiden appearance in the third round of the men’s singles when he returns to the court on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, fellow Australians Jordan Thompson, Aleksandar Vukic, and Christopher O’Connell will try to join him in the second round later on Monday.