Pickers premiership hero Alchin returns for Coalfields derby as a Bulldog
Maitland Pickers three-time premiership hero Reid Alchin returns to the Maitland Sportsground on Saturday as a Bulldog.
It will be Alchin's first game against his old club after taking up a contract to play for St Gaudens in the French Elite 1 competition after winning his third premiership with Maitland in the Newcastle RL in 2024.
Alchin's father Mick is a former Bulldogs president and his brother Jono plays with the club, so the pull back to his junior club proved too strong for his on his return from France.
"Jono my brother and I got to play our first game together at Kurri on the weekend and we won against Cessnock. It was pretty special," Alchin said.
"I spoke to a lot of people before I came back. I've had a bit of success in the last years, and it's just another sort of challenge at Kurri.
"My first job was as a boilermaker and I spoke to my old boss, Glen Messenger who played in the (1993-95) grand finals for Kurri before coming back and just a lot of community people.
"My family links and their support to go back made it the right call."
Alchin was a surprise inclusion in the Bulldogs memorable Magic Round win against the Northern Hawks, which ended a 43-game losing streak.
The Bulldogs defeated Cessnock for the second time this season last Saturday to take their season record to four wins and four losses.
Alchin said he expects a tough game against Maitland, but has nothing but affection for the club which gave him so many opportunities and cherished memories.
"I don't have any grudges with anyone there. They're all my good friends," he said.
"I have a lot of respect for Maitland and everyone that was there. I've got mates for life from there.
"Even though I chose not to go back there this year, it's got nothing to do with footy or anything. It's just purely I wanted to play with my family."
Alchin said he wasn't going to make any predictions about the result other than to say the Bulldogs will be very competitive and trying their utmost.
"We're just going to show up and, do our job and hopefully come away with a win," he said. "I know (coach Paul) Stringer is going to be passionate about it.
"He loves his footy. He's doing an awesome job at Kurri.
"We got an absolute serving at half-time against Cessnock, and I think the boys pulled their finger out after that, which was good."
Alchin is impressed with the players Stringer has brought with him including his son Jack and his good mates Brae Verheyen and Connagh Takairangi.
"Jack is just an absolute workhorse. If there's no play called, he will just say, 'Get out the way and throw me the ball'," Alchin said.
"Jack and Brae are best mates along with Connagh and they all played footy together down in Sydney. They've all got similar traits. They just put their hand up and go as hard as they can for as long as they can."
Another new teammate Mitch Garbutt was nearly Alchin's coach at St Gaudens until Garbutt's deal fell through.
Alchin said playing in France was an awesome experience and one he will always cherish.
"My partner went over with me. We had Joseph Besgrove from the Entrance and Jay Bell, from Lakes, as well. So we all played together.
"It was just a great experience. I encourage anyone who gets the chance to go there and experience something different."
Maitland Pickers three-time premiership hero Reid Alchin returns to the Maitland Sportsground on Saturday as a Bulldog.
It will be Alchin's first game against his old club after taking up a contract to play for St Gaudens in the French Elite 1 competition after winning his third premiership with Maitland in the Newcastle RL in 2024.
Alchin's father Mick is a former Bulldogs president and his brother Jono plays with the club, so the pull back to his junior club proved too strong for his on his return from France.
"Jono my brother and I got to play our first game together at Kurri on the weekend and we won against Cessnock. It was pretty special," Alchin said.
"I spoke to a lot of people before I came back. I've had a bit of success in the last years, and it's just another sort of challenge at Kurri.
"My first job was as a boilermaker and I spoke to my old boss, Glen Messenger who played in the (1993-95) grand finals for Kurri before coming back and just a lot of community people.
"My family links and their support to go back made it the right call."
Alchin was a surprise inclusion in the Bulldogs memorable Magic Round win against the Northern Hawks, which ended a 43-game losing streak.
The Bulldogs defeated Cessnock for the second time this season last Saturday to take their season record to four wins and four losses.
Alchin said he expects a tough game against Maitland, but has nothing but affection for the club which gave him so many opportunities and cherished memories.
"I don't have any grudges with anyone there. They're all my good friends," he said.
"I have a lot of respect for Maitland and everyone that was there. I've got mates for life from there.
"Even though I chose not to go back there this year, it's got nothing to do with footy or anything. It's just purely I wanted to play with my family."
Alchin said he wasn't going to make any predictions about the result other than to say the Bulldogs will be very competitive and trying their utmost.
"We're just going to show up and, do our job and hopefully come away with a win," he said. "I know (coach Paul) Stringer is going to be passionate about it.
"He loves his footy. He's doing an awesome job at Kurri.
"We got an absolute serving at half-time against Cessnock, and I think the boys pulled their finger out after that, which was good."
Alchin is impressed with the players Stringer has brought with him including his son Jack and his good mates Brae Verheyen and Connagh Takairangi.
"Jack is just an absolute workhorse. If there's no play called, he will just say, 'Get out the way and throw me the ball'," Alchin said.
"Jack and Brae are best mates along with Connagh and they all played footy together down in Sydney. They've all got similar traits. They just put their hand up and go as hard as they can for as long as they can."
Another new teammate Mitch Garbutt was nearly Alchin's coach at St Gaudens until Garbutt's deal fell through.
Alchin said playing in France was an awesome experience and one he will always cherish.
"My partner went over with me. We had Joseph Besgrove from the Entrance and Jay Bell, from Lakes, as well. So we all played together.
"It was just a great experience. I encourage anyone who gets the chance to go there and experience something different."
Maitland Pickers three-time premiership hero Reid Alchin returns to the Maitland Sportsground on Saturday as a Bulldog.
It will be Alchin's first game against his old club after taking up a contract to play for St Gaudens in the French Elite 1 competition after winning his third premiership with Maitland in the Newcastle RL in 2024.
Alchin's father Mick is a former Bulldogs president and his brother Jono plays with the club, so the pull back to his junior club proved too strong for his on his return from France.
"Jono my brother and I got to play our first game together at Kurri on the weekend and we won against Cessnock. It was pretty special," Alchin said.
"I spoke to a lot of people before I came back. I've had a bit of success in the last years, and it's just another sort of challenge at Kurri.
"My first job was as a boilermaker and I spoke to my old boss, Glen Messenger who played in the (1993-95) grand finals for Kurri before coming back and just a lot of community people.
"My family links and their support to go back made it the right call."
Alchin was a surprise inclusion in the Bulldogs memorable Magic Round win against the Northern Hawks, which ended a 43-game losing streak.
The Bulldogs defeated Cessnock for the second time this season last Saturday to take their season record to four wins and four losses.
Alchin said he expects a tough game against Maitland, but has nothing but affection for the club which gave him so many opportunities and cherished memories.
"I don't have any grudges with anyone there. They're all my good friends," he said.
"I have a lot of respect for Maitland and everyone that was there. I've got mates for life from there.
"Even though I chose not to go back there this year, it's got nothing to do with footy or anything. It's just purely I wanted to play with my family."
Alchin said he wasn't going to make any predictions about the result other than to say the Bulldogs will be very competitive and trying their utmost.
"We're just going to show up and, do our job and hopefully come away with a win," he said. "I know (coach Paul) Stringer is going to be passionate about it.
"He loves his footy. He's doing an awesome job at Kurri.
"We got an absolute serving at half-time against Cessnock, and I think the boys pulled their finger out after that, which was good."
Alchin is impressed with the players Stringer has brought with him including his son Jack and his good mates Brae Verheyen and Connagh Takairangi.
"Jack is just an absolute workhorse. If there's no play called, he will just say, 'Get out the way and throw me the ball'," Alchin said.
"Jack and Brae are best mates along with Connagh and they all played footy together down in Sydney. They've all got similar traits. They just put their hand up and go as hard as they can for as long as they can."
Another new teammate Mitch Garbutt was nearly Alchin's coach at St Gaudens until Garbutt's deal fell through.
Alchin said playing in France was an awesome experience and one he will always cherish.
"My partner went over with me. We had Joseph Besgrove from the Entrance and Jay Bell, from Lakes, as well. So we all played together.
"It was just a great experience. I encourage anyone who gets the chance to go there and experience something different."
Maitland Pickers three-time premiership hero Reid Alchin returns to the Maitland Sportsground on Saturday as a Bulldog.
It will be Alchin's first game against his old club after taking up a contract to play for St Gaudens in the French Elite 1 competition after winning his third premiership with Maitland in the Newcastle RL in 2024.
Alchin's father Mick is a former Bulldogs president and his brother Jono plays with the club, so the pull back to his junior club proved too strong for his on his return from France.
"Jono my brother and I got to play our first game together at Kurri on the weekend and we won against Cessnock. It was pretty special," Alchin said.
"I spoke to a lot of people before I came back. I've had a bit of success in the last years, and it's just another sort of challenge at Kurri.
"My first job was as a boilermaker and I spoke to my old boss, Glen Messenger who played in the (1993-95) grand finals for Kurri before coming back and just a lot of community people.
"My family links and their support to go back made it the right call."
Alchin was a surprise inclusion in the Bulldogs memorable Magic Round win against the Northern Hawks, which ended a 43-game losing streak.
The Bulldogs defeated Cessnock for the second time this season last Saturday to take their season record to four wins and four losses.
Alchin said he expects a tough game against Maitland, but has nothing but affection for the club which gave him so many opportunities and cherished memories.
"I don't have any grudges with anyone there. They're all my good friends," he said.
"I have a lot of respect for Maitland and everyone that was there. I've got mates for life from there.
"Even though I chose not to go back there this year, it's got nothing to do with footy or anything. It's just purely I wanted to play with my family."
Alchin said he wasn't going to make any predictions about the result other than to say the Bulldogs will be very competitive and trying their utmost.
"We're just going to show up and, do our job and hopefully come away with a win," he said. "I know (coach Paul) Stringer is going to be passionate about it.
"He loves his footy. He's doing an awesome job at Kurri.
"We got an absolute serving at half-time against Cessnock, and I think the boys pulled their finger out after that, which was good."
Alchin is impressed with the players Stringer has brought with him including his son Jack and his good mates Brae Verheyen and Connagh Takairangi.
"Jack is just an absolute workhorse. If there's no play called, he will just say, 'Get out the way and throw me the ball'," Alchin said.
"Jack and Brae are best mates along with Connagh and they all played footy together down in Sydney. They've all got similar traits. They just put their hand up and go as hard as they can for as long as they can."
Another new teammate Mitch Garbutt was nearly Alchin's coach at St Gaudens until Garbutt's deal fell through.
Alchin said playing in France was an awesome experience and one he will always cherish.
"My partner went over with me. We had Joseph Besgrove from the Entrance and Jay Bell, from Lakes, as well. So we all played together.
"It was just a great experience. I encourage anyone who gets the chance to go there and experience something different."
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The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
Thompson sole Australian of eight to advance to Wimbledon's second round on day one
'[But I] felt pretty s---, to be honest. It's tough. I haven't practiced, I've been injured, haven't played many tournaments, and haven't played at 100 per cent this year, it feels like, so I can't say I'm enjoying it too much.' Thompson's bleak outlook capped an unexpectedly dismal opening day at SW19, with 20th-seeded Alexei Popyrin headlining seven Australian departures, including Kim Birrell, Chris O'Connell, Olivia Gadecki, James Duckworth, qualifier Talia Gibson and Ajla Tomljanovic. Duckworth was on upset alert when he went two-sets-to-one up on No.25 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, only to go down 6-2, 3-6, 6-7 (2-7), 6-4, 6-4 to the Canadian star. Popyrin's loss was the most shocking: 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 to 465th-ranked British wildcard Arthur Fery – the son of wealthy businessman Loic Fery, a Wimbledon club member and owner of French Ligue 1 team FC Lorient – in a result that could trigger a rankings freefall for a player with more than 1300 points still to defend this year. The 25-year-old was coming off a career-best fourth-round appearance at Roland-Garros, but blamed his decision to effectively step straight onto a grasscourt afterwards for his underwhelming display in London. 'I have to not see a tennis court or a tennis racquet for a little bit,' Popyrin said, slumping into his chair in one of Wimbledon's tiny interview rooms. 'After today's match, I felt numb. I didn't feel sad, I didn't feel happy – I just felt numb, and that's not a feeling I've ever had before. I think that just shows that I understand this result happened because I was under-prepared and demotivated going into Wimbledon, and that's something that can't happen again.' Thompson has rallied from two sets down to win in the first round at each of the past three Wimbledon editions – and all on court nine – with Russian Pavel Kotov and American Brandon Nakashima his previous two victims. He was his usual combative self against Kopriva, engaging in an ongoing spat with the chair umpire over a series of lets that he felt went uncalled, including one he humorously remarked should have been heard from Wimbledon's neighbouring district Southfields. But with Lleyton Hewitt and his new doubles partner Pierre Hugues-Herbert watching, the world No.44 – who won 53 of 79 net points – was understandably relieved to escape for a rare highlight in an injury-plagued season. It all started with a ruptured plantar fascia in Thompson's right foot that spoiled his Australian summer and cost him almost two months after leaving Melbourne Park. The hits kept on coming for Thompson, who also suffered a groin tear, an oblique tear, a herniated disc and most recently, pain in the sacroiliac joint in his back that otherwise would have forced him onto the sidelines. He has already revealed he will take a multi-month break after Wimbledon to try to get his body right, and has not ruled out skipping the rest of the season to receive a protected ranking, which requires a six-month absence. 'I can't put too much pressure on myself, even though I do a lot of the times, but this year's been a disaster,' Thompson said. 'I'm just lucky to be out on the court, even though I'm probably not enjoying it as much as I would like to. I mean, we're at Wimbledon, and it's sad for me to think I'm not enjoying it as much as I usually do. I'm just praying that I can actually step back out on the court. '[But] I think the only time I really enjoyed it was when the last point was over, and I didn't have to put my body through any more.' Birrell barely lost a race with the injured dual finalist Ons Jabeur to be the first player to exit the grasscourt major, losing 6-0-6-4 to Croatian 22nd seed and 2024 semi-finalist Donna Vekic, while O'Connell was no match for French veteran Adrian Mannarino in a 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 defeat. Gadecki was originally supposed to play Greet Minnen, but the Belgian withdrew with a back injury, so she instead faced lucky loser Solana Sierra, who lost in final-round qualifying to Australia's Talia Gibson. Sierra made the most of her second chance, securing a 6-2, 7-6 (10-8) win after fighting back from an 0-3 second-set deficit. The big-striking Gibson will have mixed emotions about her Wimbledon debut on court 18 against four-time major champion Naomi Osaka, who is four years and a child removed from her 2021 Australian Open title. The 21-year-old West Australian went toe-to-toe from the baseline with the Japanese superstar and hit some breathtaking winners to help her go up a break early in the first set and twice serve for the second set – but the result was a 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) defeat. Loading More important will be the lessons Gibson learned while failing to win a single point across those two service games late in the second set, when she sent seven shots beyond the baseline and double-faulted on the other. She matched Osaka with 18 winners apiece, but committed 41 unforced errors to Osaka's 23. Tomljanovic was the last Aussie to bow out on Monday, fading to a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 loss to fellow veteran and Eastbourne semi-finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Thompson sole Australian of eight to advance to Wimbledon's second round on day one
'[But I] felt pretty s---, to be honest. It's tough. I haven't practiced, I've been injured, haven't played many tournaments, and haven't played at 100 per cent this year, it feels like, so I can't say I'm enjoying it too much.' Thompson's bleak outlook capped an unexpectedly dismal opening day at SW19, with 20th-seeded Alexei Popyrin headlining seven Australian departures, including Kim Birrell, Chris O'Connell, Olivia Gadecki, James Duckworth, qualifier Talia Gibson and Ajla Tomljanovic. Duckworth was on upset alert when he went two-sets-to-one up on No.25 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, only to go down 6-2, 3-6, 6-7 (2-7), 6-4, 6-4 to the Canadian star. Popyrin's loss was the most shocking: 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 to 465th-ranked British wildcard Arthur Fery – the son of wealthy businessman Loic Fery, a Wimbledon club member and owner of French Ligue 1 team FC Lorient – in a result that could trigger a rankings freefall for a player with more than 1300 points still to defend this year. The 25-year-old was coming off a career-best fourth-round appearance at Roland-Garros, but blamed his decision to effectively step straight onto a grasscourt afterwards for his underwhelming display in London. 'I have to not see a tennis court or a tennis racquet for a little bit,' Popyrin said, slumping into his chair in one of Wimbledon's tiny interview rooms. 'After today's match, I felt numb. I didn't feel sad, I didn't feel happy – I just felt numb, and that's not a feeling I've ever had before. I think that just shows that I understand this result happened because I was under-prepared and demotivated going into Wimbledon, and that's something that can't happen again.' Thompson has rallied from two sets down to win in the first round at each of the past three Wimbledon editions – and all on court nine – with Russian Pavel Kotov and American Brandon Nakashima his previous two victims. He was his usual combative self against Kopriva, engaging in an ongoing spat with the chair umpire over a series of lets that he felt went uncalled, including one he humorously remarked should have been heard from Wimbledon's neighbouring district Southfields. But with Lleyton Hewitt and his new doubles partner Pierre Hugues-Herbert watching, the world No.44 – who won 53 of 79 net points – was understandably relieved to escape for a rare highlight in an injury-plagued season. It all started with a ruptured plantar fascia in Thompson's right foot that spoiled his Australian summer and cost him almost two months after leaving Melbourne Park. The hits kept on coming for Thompson, who also suffered a groin tear, an oblique tear, a herniated disc and most recently, pain in the sacroiliac joint in his back that otherwise would have forced him onto the sidelines. He has already revealed he will take a multi-month break after Wimbledon to try to get his body right, and has not ruled out skipping the rest of the season to receive a protected ranking, which requires a six-month absence. 'I can't put too much pressure on myself, even though I do a lot of the times, but this year's been a disaster,' Thompson said. 'I'm just lucky to be out on the court, even though I'm probably not enjoying it as much as I would like to. I mean, we're at Wimbledon, and it's sad for me to think I'm not enjoying it as much as I usually do. I'm just praying that I can actually step back out on the court. '[But] I think the only time I really enjoyed it was when the last point was over, and I didn't have to put my body through any more.' Birrell barely lost a race with the injured dual finalist Ons Jabeur to be the first player to exit the grasscourt major, losing 6-0-6-4 to Croatian 22nd seed and 2024 semi-finalist Donna Vekic, while O'Connell was no match for French veteran Adrian Mannarino in a 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 defeat. Gadecki was originally supposed to play Greet Minnen, but the Belgian withdrew with a back injury, so she instead faced lucky loser Solana Sierra, who lost in final-round qualifying to Australia's Talia Gibson. Sierra made the most of her second chance, securing a 6-2, 7-6 (10-8) win after fighting back from an 0-3 second-set deficit. The big-striking Gibson will have mixed emotions about her Wimbledon debut on court 18 against four-time major champion Naomi Osaka, who is four years and a child removed from her 2021 Australian Open title. The 21-year-old West Australian went toe-to-toe from the baseline with the Japanese superstar and hit some breathtaking winners to help her go up a break early in the first set and twice serve for the second set – but the result was a 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) defeat. Loading More important will be the lessons Gibson learned while failing to win a single point across those two service games late in the second set, when she sent seven shots beyond the baseline and double-faulted on the other. She matched Osaka with 18 winners apiece, but committed 41 unforced errors to Osaka's 23. Tomljanovic was the last Aussie to bow out on Monday, fading to a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 loss to fellow veteran and Eastbourne semi-finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Popyrin humbled at Wimbledon as ailing Tommo saves day
Big hope Alexei Popyrin has crashed out of Wimbledon sensationally to a Briton ranked No.461 in the world while only a wonderful trademark comeback from Jordan Thompson could rescue Australia's calamitous start to the sun-drenched grass-court grand slam. Big-serving Popyrin, the 20th seed and the biggest Australian men's hope beyond Alex de Minaur, tumbled out to French-born English wildcard Arthur Fery 6-4 6-1 4-6 6-4 in one of the biggest upsets of the opening Monday. As the sun burned down on one of the hottest days in the Championships' annals, most of the huge Australian contingent of 17, the country's biggest battalion of players in 30 years, were swiftly put in the shade with Kim Birrell, Chris O'Connell and Olivia Gadecki all losing. But their defeats paled in comparison to Popyrin's defeat as he went down to wildcard Fery, a 22-year-old local Wimbledon lad who took full advantage of his 'home' advantage at the All England Club where his businessman father is a member. Sydneysider Popyrin has been bemoaning his lack of consistency and after an impressive showing at the French Open where he was Australia's last man standing, reaching the fourth round, he was quickly dumped down to earth again in front of a roaring crowd on the cramped court 15. It came as a huge let-down after Thompson had brushed aside his injury worries to deliver the first green-and-gold victory. The 31-year-old battler summoned up his familiar spirit on his favourite lawns to scrap his way back, eventually prevailing 3-6 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-1) 6-1 against Czech Vit Kopriva for his third comeback from two sets down at Wimbledon in successive tournaments. In all, it was the Sydneysider's fourth five-set win at his favourite grass-court slam but at what cost? 'Tommo', who feared he might not even get to the start line because of his latest back problem in a year of injury woe, still wasn't sure if he'd now be fit to play his next match against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, who pulled off another contender for shock of the day by knocking out Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-2. Earlier, under blue skies more redolent of her Gold Coast home than London, Birrell achieved the unenviable distinction of being the first player knocked out in a completed match at this year's championships. The 27-year-old, making her debut at the grass court slam, never recovered from a nervy start in which she surrendered the first set to No.22 seed and last year's semi-finalist Donna Vekic without winning a game. A much-improved battling second set prompted hope, at 4-4, of the Victorian forcing a decider, but the Croatian star then completed a 6-0 6-4 victory in 79 minutes. Birrell, who saved one match point but then watched her forehand shoot long on the second, left the English capital with some hard-earned experience and Stg 66,000 ($A138,500) as her reward for battling through qualifying. O'Connell found the ever tricky, veteran Adrian Mannarino too much to handle, going down 6-2 6-4 6-3 in two-and-a-quarter one-sided hours. Gadecki battled gallantly, saving five match points only to eventually succumb 6-2 7-6 (10-8) to Argentine lucky loser Solana Sierra in one hour 40 minutes. Big hope Alexei Popyrin has crashed out of Wimbledon sensationally to a Briton ranked No.461 in the world while only a wonderful trademark comeback from Jordan Thompson could rescue Australia's calamitous start to the sun-drenched grass-court grand slam. Big-serving Popyrin, the 20th seed and the biggest Australian men's hope beyond Alex de Minaur, tumbled out to French-born English wildcard Arthur Fery 6-4 6-1 4-6 6-4 in one of the biggest upsets of the opening Monday. As the sun burned down on one of the hottest days in the Championships' annals, most of the huge Australian contingent of 17, the country's biggest battalion of players in 30 years, were swiftly put in the shade with Kim Birrell, Chris O'Connell and Olivia Gadecki all losing. But their defeats paled in comparison to Popyrin's defeat as he went down to wildcard Fery, a 22-year-old local Wimbledon lad who took full advantage of his 'home' advantage at the All England Club where his businessman father is a member. Sydneysider Popyrin has been bemoaning his lack of consistency and after an impressive showing at the French Open where he was Australia's last man standing, reaching the fourth round, he was quickly dumped down to earth again in front of a roaring crowd on the cramped court 15. It came as a huge let-down after Thompson had brushed aside his injury worries to deliver the first green-and-gold victory. The 31-year-old battler summoned up his familiar spirit on his favourite lawns to scrap his way back, eventually prevailing 3-6 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-1) 6-1 against Czech Vit Kopriva for his third comeback from two sets down at Wimbledon in successive tournaments. In all, it was the Sydneysider's fourth five-set win at his favourite grass-court slam but at what cost? 'Tommo', who feared he might not even get to the start line because of his latest back problem in a year of injury woe, still wasn't sure if he'd now be fit to play his next match against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, who pulled off another contender for shock of the day by knocking out Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-2. Earlier, under blue skies more redolent of her Gold Coast home than London, Birrell achieved the unenviable distinction of being the first player knocked out in a completed match at this year's championships. The 27-year-old, making her debut at the grass court slam, never recovered from a nervy start in which she surrendered the first set to No.22 seed and last year's semi-finalist Donna Vekic without winning a game. A much-improved battling second set prompted hope, at 4-4, of the Victorian forcing a decider, but the Croatian star then completed a 6-0 6-4 victory in 79 minutes. Birrell, who saved one match point but then watched her forehand shoot long on the second, left the English capital with some hard-earned experience and Stg 66,000 ($A138,500) as her reward for battling through qualifying. O'Connell found the ever tricky, veteran Adrian Mannarino too much to handle, going down 6-2 6-4 6-3 in two-and-a-quarter one-sided hours. Gadecki battled gallantly, saving five match points only to eventually succumb 6-2 7-6 (10-8) to Argentine lucky loser Solana Sierra in one hour 40 minutes. Big hope Alexei Popyrin has crashed out of Wimbledon sensationally to a Briton ranked No.461 in the world while only a wonderful trademark comeback from Jordan Thompson could rescue Australia's calamitous start to the sun-drenched grass-court grand slam. Big-serving Popyrin, the 20th seed and the biggest Australian men's hope beyond Alex de Minaur, tumbled out to French-born English wildcard Arthur Fery 6-4 6-1 4-6 6-4 in one of the biggest upsets of the opening Monday. As the sun burned down on one of the hottest days in the Championships' annals, most of the huge Australian contingent of 17, the country's biggest battalion of players in 30 years, were swiftly put in the shade with Kim Birrell, Chris O'Connell and Olivia Gadecki all losing. But their defeats paled in comparison to Popyrin's defeat as he went down to wildcard Fery, a 22-year-old local Wimbledon lad who took full advantage of his 'home' advantage at the All England Club where his businessman father is a member. Sydneysider Popyrin has been bemoaning his lack of consistency and after an impressive showing at the French Open where he was Australia's last man standing, reaching the fourth round, he was quickly dumped down to earth again in front of a roaring crowd on the cramped court 15. It came as a huge let-down after Thompson had brushed aside his injury worries to deliver the first green-and-gold victory. The 31-year-old battler summoned up his familiar spirit on his favourite lawns to scrap his way back, eventually prevailing 3-6 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-1) 6-1 against Czech Vit Kopriva for his third comeback from two sets down at Wimbledon in successive tournaments. In all, it was the Sydneysider's fourth five-set win at his favourite grass-court slam but at what cost? 'Tommo', who feared he might not even get to the start line because of his latest back problem in a year of injury woe, still wasn't sure if he'd now be fit to play his next match against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, who pulled off another contender for shock of the day by knocking out Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-2. Earlier, under blue skies more redolent of her Gold Coast home than London, Birrell achieved the unenviable distinction of being the first player knocked out in a completed match at this year's championships. The 27-year-old, making her debut at the grass court slam, never recovered from a nervy start in which she surrendered the first set to No.22 seed and last year's semi-finalist Donna Vekic without winning a game. A much-improved battling second set prompted hope, at 4-4, of the Victorian forcing a decider, but the Croatian star then completed a 6-0 6-4 victory in 79 minutes. Birrell, who saved one match point but then watched her forehand shoot long on the second, left the English capital with some hard-earned experience and Stg 66,000 ($A138,500) as her reward for battling through qualifying. O'Connell found the ever tricky, veteran Adrian Mannarino too much to handle, going down 6-2 6-4 6-3 in two-and-a-quarter one-sided hours. Gadecki battled gallantly, saving five match points only to eventually succumb 6-2 7-6 (10-8) to Argentine lucky loser Solana Sierra in one hour 40 minutes. Big hope Alexei Popyrin has crashed out of Wimbledon sensationally to a Briton ranked No.461 in the world while only a wonderful trademark comeback from Jordan Thompson could rescue Australia's calamitous start to the sun-drenched grass-court grand slam. Big-serving Popyrin, the 20th seed and the biggest Australian men's hope beyond Alex de Minaur, tumbled out to French-born English wildcard Arthur Fery 6-4 6-1 4-6 6-4 in one of the biggest upsets of the opening Monday. As the sun burned down on one of the hottest days in the Championships' annals, most of the huge Australian contingent of 17, the country's biggest battalion of players in 30 years, were swiftly put in the shade with Kim Birrell, Chris O'Connell and Olivia Gadecki all losing. But their defeats paled in comparison to Popyrin's defeat as he went down to wildcard Fery, a 22-year-old local Wimbledon lad who took full advantage of his 'home' advantage at the All England Club where his businessman father is a member. Sydneysider Popyrin has been bemoaning his lack of consistency and after an impressive showing at the French Open where he was Australia's last man standing, reaching the fourth round, he was quickly dumped down to earth again in front of a roaring crowd on the cramped court 15. It came as a huge let-down after Thompson had brushed aside his injury worries to deliver the first green-and-gold victory. The 31-year-old battler summoned up his familiar spirit on his favourite lawns to scrap his way back, eventually prevailing 3-6 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-1) 6-1 against Czech Vit Kopriva for his third comeback from two sets down at Wimbledon in successive tournaments. In all, it was the Sydneysider's fourth five-set win at his favourite grass-court slam but at what cost? 'Tommo', who feared he might not even get to the start line because of his latest back problem in a year of injury woe, still wasn't sure if he'd now be fit to play his next match against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, who pulled off another contender for shock of the day by knocking out Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-2. Earlier, under blue skies more redolent of her Gold Coast home than London, Birrell achieved the unenviable distinction of being the first player knocked out in a completed match at this year's championships. The 27-year-old, making her debut at the grass court slam, never recovered from a nervy start in which she surrendered the first set to No.22 seed and last year's semi-finalist Donna Vekic without winning a game. A much-improved battling second set prompted hope, at 4-4, of the Victorian forcing a decider, but the Croatian star then completed a 6-0 6-4 victory in 79 minutes. Birrell, who saved one match point but then watched her forehand shoot long on the second, left the English capital with some hard-earned experience and Stg 66,000 ($A138,500) as her reward for battling through qualifying. O'Connell found the ever tricky, veteran Adrian Mannarino too much to handle, going down 6-2 6-4 6-3 in two-and-a-quarter one-sided hours. Gadecki battled gallantly, saving five match points only to eventually succumb 6-2 7-6 (10-8) to Argentine lucky loser Solana Sierra in one hour 40 minutes.
