Australian Open 2021: Alexei Popyrin pulls off epic five-set comeback win over 13th seed David Goffin

Nathan Williamson

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Australian Open 2021: Alexei Popyrin pulls off epic five-set comeback win over 13th seed David Goffin image

Australian wildcard Alexei Popyrin has pulled off an incredible five-set win over 13th seed David Goffin, saving four match points to pull off the upset.

Popyrin managed to save four match points as he secured one of the biggest wins of his career, sealing the 3-6 6-4 6-7(4) 7-6(6) 6-3 win in just under four hours.

From the start of the match, Popyrin was on the back-foot as Goffin instantly broke his serve.

The Belgian would control of the first set, eventually breaking again to take it 6-3.

However, the Aussie was backed by a boisterous group of fans on Court 3, fighting his way back into the contest.

He would break in the seventh game of the second set, holding on to serve it out 6-4.

With both players trading service breaks, the experience of the world number 15 would shine through in the tie-breaker, winning it 7-4 to take a two-sets-to-one victory.

Popyrin's tournament looked over when he gave up a break after requiring treatment on an apparent quad injury, handing Goffin a 5-3 lead.

The Aussie would refuse to give up, riding the wave of support to save two match points as he broke back to take the set to another tie-breaker.

From here, Popyrin would save two more as he went for broke, eventually taking the tie-breaker 8-6 to send the match into a final set.

Whilst Goffin would take the first two games, the 30-year-old appeared to be struggling, eventually giving the break back.

This allowed Popyrin to take control, winning the next four games as he managed to break once again to win the match in just under four hours.

Popyrin will now face South Africa's Lloyd Harris in the second round on Thursday. 

Nathan Williamson