Wednesday, 16 October 2019:

ALEXEI POPYRIN of Australia.

Big-serving Australian young gun Alexei Popyrin has guaranteed himself a career-high ranking after he fought his way into the second round of the Stockholm Open.

The 20-year-old served up 19 aces on his way to a 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5) win over German lucky loser Oscar Otte, who delivered 15 thunderbolts of his own in a match that lasted just under 90 minutes.

Popyrin, who had to come through qualifying to reach the main draw, will move up at least four spots to world No.86 after his first-round victory but faces a tough ask next against fourth-seeded Canadian Denis Shapovalov for a place in the quarter-finals.

But there was disappointment for world No.52 John Millman who lost to Spanish fifth seed Pablo Carreno Busta.

Millman failed to convert four break points against the world No.35 on his way to a 6-4 6-3 defeat in the Swedish capital.

Carreno Busta's next opponent is Italian lucky loser Gianluca Mager, who recorded his first tour-level ATP victory 5-7 6-1 6-1 over Pablo Andujar.

Stockholm debutant Yoshihito Nishioka overcame Radu Albot 3-6 6-4 6-1 to set up a second-round meeting with third-seeded American Taylor Fritz.

Others to advance from round one on Tuesday were Sam Querrey, Cedrik-Marcel Stebe and Filip Krajinovic.

AAP