Popyrin, Kasatkina combine for 37-year Australian first at Roland Garros

Popyrin believes the lessons he gleaned after last year’s US Open win over Novak Djokovic will stand him in good stead as he now shoots for his first Grand Slam quarterfinal.

But Australia's No.2 man has dismissed the idea he'll have an advantage over Paul – who's had to battle through two successive gruelling five-setters – as he hailed the American iron man as one of the fittest players on tour.

Popyrin had his finest Grand Slam moment when he beat the mighty Djokovic in New York last August in the third round before bowing out to Frances Tiafoe in his first fourth-round date.

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He fancies things are very different this time as he goes into the last-16 "feeling quite good" physically and mentally after winning his three matches without dropping a set – and having spent over three-and-a-half hours less time on court than Paul.

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