Popyrin Faces Muller Test in Australian Open First Round
MELBOURNE, 19 January 2026 – Australian hope Alexei Popyrin begins his quest for home Grand Slam glory today, facing a tricky first-round assignment against France’s Alexandre Muller. The match, scheduled for 2:30 pm on Melbourne Park’s outer courts, pits the world No. 50 against the No. 52 in a clash of closely-ranked opponents.
The First Hurdle: Muller Presents Immediate Challenge
While Popyrin enters as the marginal favourite, his recent form provides little certainty. The 26-year-old from Sydney has a mixed record to start the 2026 season. His head-to-head advantage over Muller stands at 1-0, though they have never met at a major tournament. Muller, meanwhile, will look to capitalise on any early-tournament nerves from the local player. The Frenchman’s game is built around a solid service game, but he has struggled with consistency on return, winning only 19.1% of return games on hard courts over the past year.
The Australian’s Path: A Daunting Draw Awaits
Should Popyrin navigate past Muller, a formidable path through the draw emerges. His projected second-round opponent would be third seed Alexander Zverev, a player who holds a dominant 4-0 head-to-head record against the Australian. Beyond that, the draw could see meetings with Cameron Norrie, Andrey Rublev, and a potential quarter-final against Felix Auger-Aliassime, against whom Popyrin holds a 2-0 record. The ultimate challenges would likely come in the semi-finals, with world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz or defending champion Jannik Sinner potentially lying in wait.
Alexei Popyrin at a Glance
| Statistic | Detail |
|---|---|
| ATP Ranking | 50 |
| Age & Nationality | 26, Australia |
| Height / Weight | 196 cm / 78 kg |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Career Earnings | $8,616,968 |
| Coach | Fernando Bogajo |
| Career High Ranking | 19 (2025) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is Alexei Popyrin’s match?
Popyrin is scheduled to play Alexandre Muller not before 2:30 pm local time on Monday 19 January 2026.
Who is Alexei Popyrin’s coach?
Popyrin is currently coached by Fernando Bogajo.
What is Popyrin’s record against Alex De Minaur?
The head-to-head between the two Australians favours De Minaur, who leads 3-1. Their most recent meeting was in 2025.
Has Alexei Popyrin ever won the Australian Open?
No, Alexei Popyrin has not won the Australian Open. His best result at his home Grand Slam was reaching the third round in 2020 and 2024.