Alexei Popyrin cruises to US Open victory as Aussie teen Maya Joint stuns fans in $206,000 development

Aussie teen Maya Joint has stunned the tennis world to defeat a veteran on her grand slam debut while Alexei Popyrin has continued his hard court resurgence as a US Open clash with Novak Djokovic looms. Popyrin left the tennis world stunned when he became the first Aussie since Lleyton Hewitt to win a Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati.

Popyrin entered the grand slam for the first time as a seeded player and he was able to navigate past his opponent to reach the second round with a 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 win. The Aussie managed to hit 37 winners in the victory and won 92 per cent of first serves.

Popyrin's hard court form has many predicting he will reach the third round where he is expected to meet Olympic champ and 24-time grand slam winner Djokovic. The Aussie admitted in the past he would have looked further ahead at the schedule and got ahead of himself, but using his experience Popyrin is taking each day as it comes as he looks to take on Pedro Martinez in the second round.

"I feel like I've had a lot of scenarios in my career where I had one more match, and then I would play a big match so I've kind of gotten used to focusing on the match that I've got in hand," Popyrin said. "And then if I win that, then, yeah, obviously I've got Novak in the third. But, honestly, I'm just thinking of this match and not thinking about Novak."

The 25-year-old will be hoping fellow Aussie Alex de Minaur also progresses as he takes on dangerous American Marcos Giron in the first round. Meanwhile Aussie teenager Joint was the talk of the day after she won on her grand slam debut.

Aussie teen Maya Joint enjoys US Open debut

Joint was making her grand slam debut and there was plenty of hype behind the talented 18-year-old Aussie. And the teenager played well beyond her years to show great poise having surprised veteran Laura Siegemund to win 6-4, 7-5. The Aussie was able to hold her nerve in two close sets, but showed plenty of willingness to attack the big points when needed.

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On match point, Joint attacked Siegemund's serve and managed to stretch her out wide with a big backhand. She then charged to the net and took a backhand on the full to close out the match.

“It’s incredible. I didn’t expect to come this far, I’m lost for words,” Joint told Stan Sport after her victory. “I don’t know what to say, it feels great.”

Joint was born in the US and switched to play for Australia in 2023. She moved to Brisbane and trained with Tennis Australia and proved she was in for a big year ahead of the Australian Open. She has now recorded 53 wins on the women's tour and won two single titles in 2024.

Last year, Joint was World No.1390 and she has now moved to World No.135. Her win over Siegemund is her first over a top 100 player. Regardless of the result in the second round, Joint will leave Flushing Meadows with at least $206,000 for her triumph. She will next face American Madison Keys.

“I have no pressure,” Joint added of her next round opponent. “I’ve seen Madison Keys play multiple times on television, but obviously never played against her. I’m excited, I think it should be a good match.” Joint is expected to join the University of Texas next year where she will also study. However, it appears the American-born Aussie could also have a future on the tour.