Dubai, United Arrab Emirates, 23 February 2022 | Vivienne Christie
Alexei Popyrin has capitalised superbly on a last-minute opportunity to compete in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, progressing to the second round with a 6-2 6-3 win over Nikoloz Basilashvili.
After exiting in the final round of qualifying, the Australian entered the main draw into the ATP 500 tournament as a lucky loser.
Popyrin took 59 minutes to overcome Basilashvili, who at world No.19 is ranked considerably higher than the No.66 Australian.
With valuable efficiency, Popyrin served five aces, not a single double fault and saved all break points that he faced against the experienced 30-year-old.
It sets up a meeting with Roberto Bautista Agut, the No.5 seed at the lucrative tournament.
Alex de Minaur had a tougher day at the Middle Eastern tournament, suffering a three-sets loss to Karen Khachanov.
Earlier in Dubai, Australian qualifier Chris O’Connell pushed Andy Murray in a determined display before exiting to the former Grand Slam champion in three sets.