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Popyrin can reverse Aust French struggles

3 minute read

Australia's men have lost a combined 15 sets to love at this year's French Open, with Alexei Popyrin and the in-form Marc Polmans the last hopes on Tuesday.

ALEXEI POPYRIN of Australia.
ALEXEI POPYRIN of Australia. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Former French Open junior champion Alexei Popyrin is confident a new coach can help him defy a horror start by Australia's men when he begins his Paris campaign on Tuesday.

John Millman, Aleksandar Vukic and James Duckworth joined Alex de Minaur and Jordan Thompson as first-round, straight-sets casualties at a damp and dreary Roland Garros on Monday.

Australia's women have fared better - both Daria Gavrilova and Astra Sharma producing upsets to reach the second round while Marc Polmans is the 11th and final Australian set to feature in the main draw when he meets local hope Ugo Humbert on Tuesday.

A junior champion in Paris three years ago, Popyrin will fancy himself against South African Lloyd Harris in his first major appearance under new mentor Dominik Hrbaty.

The Slovakian squeezed everything he could out of a long career, reaching No.12 in the world and the final four in Paris 21 years ago.

His mental toughness resonated with 21-year-old Popyrin, who is chasing consistency to match his talent to shoot back inside the world's top 100.

"There were some adjustments to be made to my game, trying to improve and get rid of the ups and downs within a match," he told AAP of the decision to move on from former coach Philipp Wagner.

"Trying little things here and there and he (Hrbaty) was very strong mentally when he played.

"I've brought him in just for that and it's been working out well."

Popyrin won at least one match at all four grand slams last year but knows he must add solid performances between the majors to improve his ranking.

"I do enjoy playing the slams and I respond well to the big crowds, whether they're for or against me," he said.

"Obviously (with a daily cap of 1000 spectators in Paris this year) the atmosphere is going to be different this year.

"But my form's been good; it's good vibes and hopefully from here I can go a bit further in the ATP circuit (tournaments) and build that ranking up."

Polmans gets his chance as a lucky loser in qualifying after a spate of late withdrawals, the world No.122 is in career-best form as he joins a host of Australians on the cusp of the world's top 100.

AUSSIES IN ACTION AT THE FRENCH OPEN ON DAY THREE

Men's singles, first round

Alexei Popyrin v Lloyd Harris (RSA)

Marc Polmans v Ugo Humbert (FRA)

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