Popyrin builds on recent momentum with win at Miami Open

The Associated Press• ·
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - MARCH 14: Alexei Popyrin of Australia plays a forehand shot during their Round One match against Dennis Novak of Austria during Day Eight of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on March 14, 2021 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Francois Nel / Getty Images Sport / Getty

MIAMI (AP) — Alexei Popyrin built on his recent momentum by beating Feliciano Lopez 6-4, 7-6 (4) Wednesday on the first day of men's play at the Miami Open.

Popyrin, a 21-year-old Australian who won his first ATP Tour title late last month in Singapore, will next play big-serving American Reilly Opelka, who is seeded 30th.

Lopez, 39, was the oldest player in the men's draw.

Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France, runner-up at the recent Open 13 in Marseille, France, beat Pedro Sousa 6-1, 6-3. Herbert will next face No. 11-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada.

On the women's side, wild-card Ana Konjuh of Croatia won her first main-draw match in a WTA event since 2018 when she beat Katerina Siniakova 7-6 (3), 7-5. Konjuh's career has been slowed by four elbow surgeries.

Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain overcame two match points and a 5-1 deficit in the final set to overtake Bernarda Pera 6-2, 2-6, 7-5. American Danielle Collins swept Kristina Mladenovic 6-3, 6-3.

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