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A shattered Alexei Popyrin has been left lamenting what could have been after crashing out of the first round of the Open last night.

Popyrin failed to take several opportunities in a 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (10-4) loss to Frenchman Alexandre Muller in a rollercoaster match that went for just shy of four hours on John Cain Arena.

Alexei Popyrin fell short in his opening round.Credit: Getty Images

Popyrin led 4-2 in the fourth set, and then 5-2 in the tiebreak, and 5-3 in the fifth, but was unable to finish off Muller in a result that left the 26-year-old Australian lost for answers after the gruelling clash.

It’s a disappointing result for the Australian, who said he thought he should have won that match.

“Yeah, disappointment. Obviously, not happy. Felt like I was in control nearly all the match,” he said in his post-match press conference.

“Couldn’t close it out. That’s about it. I felt when the balls were new and the court was playing a little bit faster, I was totally in control.

“Once the balls started to get a little bit older, you know, he moves well, and he grinds really well, so it’s in his favour.”

Popyrin said he served well, but he was unable to capitalise on the key moments.

“I just couldn’t come up with the finishing touch nearly three times today, I think, and that’s really disappointing,” he said.