Aussie teen sends World No.8 into racquet-smashing retirement
Australia’s 19-year-old wildcard Alexei Popyrin got off to a dream start to his second round match against Dominic Thiem, frustrating the seventh seed into a fiery first set outburst.
The young Aussie went into the clash at Melbourne Park as a big underdog against one of the favourites in the men’s draw but walked away an unlikely winner.
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Buoyed by the crowd inside Melbourne Arena, Popyrin was playing like a man inspired in a stunning first set.
AUSSIE! 🇦🇺
Set for Popyrin against the seventh seed!
WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/9yBwzk2qyQ
FOLLOW LIVE: https://t.co/d5QpFbIguD #9WWOS #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/RN12NUAKh6— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 17, 2019
The Aussie’s game was clearly getting to Thiem and the Austrian’s frustrations began to simmer over towards the end of the first set.
Thiem could be heard swearing and berating himself, clearly irked at the fact his game was slightly off and his opponent was capitalising superbly.
The seventh seed had already been warned for belting his racquet into the turf in the eleventh game of the set.
However, his fury stepped up a notch moments later when he sent a return long to give Popyrin a crucial 6-5 lead.
This time Thiem smashed his racquet multiple times on the ground, earning himself a code violation and the wrath of fans on social media.
"Move forwards, you id***", shouts an angry Dominic #Thiem, who is challenged by Alexei Popyrin in the first set. A lot of swaring, racket is smashed and the crowd turns against him. Warning Mister Thiem. *5:6 behind. Wow. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/UfJ8lFNE37
— Lukas Zahrer (@ZaraLuk) January 17, 2019
Thiem cracks it and the racquet lol! #AusOpen
— Chris C (@christoc77) January 17, 2019
Dominic Thiem feeling the heat. Throws his racquet halfway through the game, loses the eleventh game to go down 6-5 to Popyrin then proceeds to smash his racquet. Racquet abuse warning for Dominic….you don't see that very often.
— Jake Davies (@jakedavi5) January 17, 2019
Dominic Thiem as frustrated as I’ve ever seen him down 6-5 to Thiem. As Popyrin holds for 6-5 to save another BP in what was a long game that had serveral deuces he smashes his racquet. #AusOpen
— Ryan 🐨 (@Ryanroxs01) January 17, 2019
Enjoying vintage, cranky raquet-smashing Thiem. He never fails to disappoint me.
— Kent Dorfman (@kent_dorfman) January 17, 2019
Thiem is NOT HAPPY with that racquet…
WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/9yBwzk2qyQ
FOLLOW LIVE: https://t.co/d5QpFbIguD #9WWOS #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/pTcUEfsqpW— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 17, 2019
Thiem's new racquet ain't doing him any favors neither. Maybe it saw what Domi did to the last stick and is nervous as.
Whatever the reason, Thiem is lovebroken and Alexei Popyrin, the 19yo WC, takes the 1st set 7-5.
— Wilfy (@whitelinefervor) January 17, 2019
Dominic Thiem just destroyed his racquet against a 19 year old ranked 142 places below him.
And then conceded the set to Alexei Popyrin.
Act like a loser and…#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/kWILxytbqn
— Shane McInnes (@shanemcinnes) January 17, 2019
Popyrin took advantage of his rival’s frame of mind, attacking the net to break Thiem and take the opening set 7-5.
Thiem’s mood wouldn’t have improved after serving to draw level at 5-5 in the second and seeing the Aussie grab a crucial break and set point.
The Austrian fired a backhand slice long which he unsuccessfully challenged as Popyrin took a shock two-sets-to-love lead.
Thiem was visibly uncomfortable throughout the match and stunned the crowd early in the third set when he retired at 2-0 down, gifting Popyrin a passage into the third round.
