Popyrin powers ahead in quest for Canadian double

After an opening-round bye, the 18th-seeded Popyrin was made to work harder than expected but still beat Canadian Nicolas Arseneault, ranked No.636 in the world, 7-6 (9-7) 6-3 in their round-of-64 clash in Toronto on Tuesday (local time).

Both players were nearly impenetrable on serve, each pounding down nine aces and having similar first-serve percentages (57 per cent for Popyrin, 60 per cent for Arseneault).

Break points proved almost as elusive as the Sasquatch, with Popyrin managing the only break of the encounter in the second set. It was one of just three break opportunities the Australian generated for the match.

However, Popyrin was even more miserly on his own serve, fending off the only break point Arseneault could manufacture.

The Australian is hoping to secure back-to-back titles in Toronto, having won last year's final 6-2 6-4 against Russia's Andrey Rublev.

Victory in Canada would be a perfect tune-up to next month's final grand slam of the year, the US Open in New York.

While Popyrin safely advanced to the third round in Toronto, three of his compatriots had their campaigns cut short by seeded players despite putting up spirited displays.

 Adam Walton took the fight right up to top seed Alexander Zverev, pushing him to a first-set tiebreak before the German won 7-6 (8-6) 6-4.

James Duckworth also provided stern early resistance before eventually succumbing to third-seeded Italian Lorenzo Musetti.

Duckworth put up a good fight in the first set, before Musetti cantered away with the second, clinching a 7-5 6-1 victory.

The Italian was virtually invulnerable on serve, winning 90 per cent of his first deliveries compared with 63 per cent by Duckworth.

Musetti was also much more effective on return, converting three of the nine break points he set up, while not allowing Duckworth to win either of the two chances he had.

Another Australian, Tristan Schoolkate, also produced a tremendous effort before going down to Italian No.32 seed Matteo Arnaldi 6-3 3-6 6-3.

Other winners on Tuesday included No.5 seed Holger Rune, of Denmark, No.8 Casper Ruud, of Norway, and 11th-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov.

Australia will be looking for more success on Wednesday, when three men will be in action in the second round.

Alex de Minaur, hot off clinching his 10th career title with a three-set win in the final of the Washington Open on Sunday, takes on Argentina's Francisco Comesana.

Christopher O'Connell faces flamboyant Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 23rd seed, and Aleksandar Vuckic takes on 31st-seeded Brit Cameron Norrie.

Australian Associated Press