Alexei Popyrin sets up Novak Djokovic showdown amid fading Australian hopes

• 28th seed defeats Spaniard Pedro Martinez 6-2 6-4 6-0 at US Open
• Rinky Hjikata, Ajla Tomljanovic and Maya Joint crash out in New York

Alexei Popyrin will meet history-chasing defending champion Novak Djokovic for a place in the last 16 of the US Open after powering to the third round at Flushing Meadows. Popyrin defied searing heat in New York to grind down Spaniard Pedro Martinez 6-2 6-4 6-0 as three of his Australian cohorts crashed back to earth on day three.

The men's 28th seed was made to work hard in the heatwave conditions, twice having to fight back from break points down in the second set. Popyrin, though, showed his mettle to pull through in one hour, 48 minutes, his supreme final set sending a statement to his rivals.