Paris, France, 26 May 2019 | Murray Wenzel, AAP

Wildcard Alexei Popyrin fought from a set down to oust local hope Ugo Humbert and launch Australia’s French Open charge in fighting fashion.

The 19-year-old, who won the junior crown on his last visit to Paris two years ago, defied a vocal home crowd in an impressive 3-6 6-3 7-6(10) 6-3 victory.

The world No.109 was the only Australian in action on the opening day at Roland Garros, with women’s eighth seed Ashleigh Barty and men’s 21st seed Alex de Minaur among those both scheduled for Monday starts.

The Sydney teenager will next play 31st seed Laslo Djere, who defeated Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas in straight sets.

https://twitter.com/rolandgarros/status/1132621245122514944

The first Australian to win the French junior crown since Phil Dent in 1968, Popyrin burst onto the scene with an exciting run to the Australian Open third round earlier this year.

A fan of the Paris clay, Popyrin’s victory will likely push him within reach of the world’s top 100 and with that direct entry into all four majors.

“I just feel more and more comfortable playing on this level,” Popyrin said.

“I’m looking to break the top 100 sometime soon and then I will set another goal.

“But I haven’t looked past the second round; I know I’ve got Laslo Djere or Ramos-Vinolas, but I have no clue who I have in the third round.”

Victory looked a far-flung prospect early on as lanky left-hander Humbert unfurled his forehand to great effect in a 26-minute first set.

But, after literally slipping over in being broken in the first set, Popyrin found his feet to slowly turn the tide.

He found success when he started to move Humbert around the court, quickly pegging back a set and then holding his nerve in a tense third-set tie-break, sealing it with one of his 12 aces.

The Australian applied constant pressure to the 20-year-old’s serve in the fourth set, eventually breaking for a 3-1 lead.

He remained composed while Humbert called for the trainer, relying again on his serve to stave off three break points to seal the contest in two hours and 52 minutes.

“On tough points, I have always tried to keep a cool head, and I’ve always managed to do that,” added Popyrin.

“That’s something that’s really helped me a lot, and I hope it will stay.”

Aussies in action – Day 2
Sam Stosur v Barbora Strycova (CZE), Court Simonne-Mathieu, fourth match
[8] Ash Barty v Jessica Pegula (USA), Court 1, second match
Astra Sharma v Shelby Rogers (USA), Court 10, second match
[21] Alex de Minaur v Bradley Klahn (USA), Court 13, first match (7.00pm AEST start)