Day 6 of Australian Open 2019, and the final night session match on Margaret Court Arena was:
Lucas Pouille (28) (FRA) v wildcard Alexei Popyrin (AUS)
Popyrin served first and held comfortably for 1-0. Pouille did likewise and 1-1. Two Popyrin forehand winners and 2-1. Three aces from Pouille and 2-2. Three aces also from Popyrin and 3-2.
Pouille at 40-30 with an ace. Break point with a Popyrin winner. Pouille held for 3-3.
Popyrin negotiated three deuces, and saved two break points, before holding serve with a forehand winner. 4-3.
A couple of winners in a game where Pouille levelled at 4-4. An ace and two winners for Popyrin and 5-4. Pouille held for 5-5.
Popyrin started with a service winner and finished with an ace. 6-5.
An unforced error had Pouille in the balance at 30-30, potentially two points from losing the set, but he hit a forehand winner and forced Popyrin into backhand error. 6-6 and tie break.
An ace for Popyrin to begin things. Three backhand errors and a double fault from the Australian saw Pouille take a 4-1 lead, with two serves to come.
Two Popyrin forehand winners and 3-4. Three set points for Pouille after a forehand winner and forcing a backhand error. Another winning forehand and the set went to Pouille 7-6(3).
Pouille began set two holding serve for 1-0. Popyrin led 40-15 in response, but he had to endure five deuces, and save two break points before levelling 1-1. A love game for Pouille, finished with an ace. 2-1.
3 aces from Popyrin and 2-2. Pouille saved a break point and held serve with a forehand winner. 3-2.
A Popyrin double fault gave Pouille two break points, both of which were saved. A forehand unforced error from Popyrin and a third break chance. Another bad forehand and Pouille broke for 4-2.
At 5-3, and serving for the set, Pouille delivered an ace then a forehand winner. Two set points arrived and only one was needed. Pouille led 7-6(3) 6-3.
The first six games of set three were shared without a break point showing up. Serving at 3-3, Popyrin faced break point after a Pouille winner. He escaped, and eventually held for 4-3.
At 4-4, Popyrin saved two break points and games remained with serve.
A second tie break was required.
Pouille jumped to a 4-0 lead, but Popyrin won the next five straight, including two clean winners.
Popyrin had set point at 6-5 but double faulted. Three more set points went by for Popyrin, and one match point for Pouille, and finally Popyrin took the set with a backhand winner 7-6(10).
Pouille opened the fourth set and was down a break point after a Popyrin forehand winner. The break came and Popyrin led 1-0.
A forehand winner ended the next game for Popyrin who consolidated for 2-0. Pouille hit a backhand winner which won him the third game 1-2. A Popyrin double fault gave Pouille two break back points, and the break came on the second. 2-2.
At 3-3, and 40-15, Pouille donated a double fault and unforced errors, and faced a break point. He saved this and a second. However, a third break point arrived courtesy of a Popyrin backhand winner. This was converted and Popyrin led 4-3.
The Aussie consolidated for 5-3. Pouille double faulted, but still held for 4-5. Serving for the set, Popyrin concentrated on the Pouille backhand and from 15-30 won the final three points on the back of Pouille errors off this wing. Sets were two all after Popyrin took the fourth 6-4.
Only two points went against serve through the first five games of the final set, and Pouille led 3-2.
Popyrin saw two game points disappear and a break point established.
An unforced Popyrin error and the break occurred. 4-2 Pouille.
A love game from Pouille stretched the French advantage to 5-2.
Popyrin forced Pouille into error three times, and a game ending ace took him to 3-5.
Serving for the match, Pouille delivered a variety show. Ace, double fault, forehand winner and forehand failure for 30-30.
A second double fault and suddenly Popyrin had a hope of remaining in the match. It was snuffed out with two forced forehand errors, the second setting up match point.
A Pouille forehand winner finished things off.
Lucas Pouille won an engrossing contest 7-6(3) 6-3 6-7(10) 4-6 6-3
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