Alexei Popyrin breaks Norbert Gombos’ serve three times on Tuesday to reach the second round in Eastbourne.
The Aussie will next play Ivashka
Alexei Popyrin got back on track Tuesday with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 win against lucky loser Norbert Gombos at the Viking International Eastbourne.
The Aussie has had a breakthrough season in 2021, winning his first ATP Tour title in Singapore and reaching his career-high No. 61 in the FedEx ATP Rankings in May. But the 21-year-old arrived in Eastbourne on a five-match losing streak at all levels.
Popyrin turned that around against Gombos behind three service breaks. The World No. 67 was unable to convert any of his three break points in the first set to fall behind, but he ultimately was able to gain the momentum and improve as the match went on.
Popyrin made the second round at Wimbledon in 2019 as a qualifier. He will next play Ilya Ivashka, who defeated lucky loser Alastair Gray 6-2, 7-6(5) after one hour and 44 minutes.