Alexei Popyrin stuns the world No 2, who will finish the season with out a Grand Slam title for the primary time since 2017.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic suffered a serious upset on the US Open, dropping to Alexei Popyrin, who ended the Serbian’s bid for a record-breaking twenty fifth Grand Slam title.
Australian Popyrin defeated Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 within the third spherical at Flushing Meadows on Friday.
“I spent a variety of power profitable the gold, and I did arrive to New York simply not feeling contemporary mentally and bodily,” Djokovic informed reporters. He gained the gold medal within the males’s singles on the Paris Olympics earlier this month.
Popyrin, who misplaced to Djokovic at each the Australian Open and Wimbledon this yr, raised his arms in triumph as he reached the spherical of 16 of a serious for the primary time.
“Third time fortunate I suppose,” Popyrin mentioned in an on-court interview.
Djokovic, 37, was uncharacteristically sloppy, with 14 double faults – a document for him in a Grand Slam match – whereas his 25-year-old opponent smacked 50 winners.
The world No 2 had 5 break level possibilities within the opener however didn’t convert any of them, whereas Popyrin broke serve on his first alternative for a 5-4 lead and gained the primary set.
Popyrin broke once more within the second when Djokovic’s volley landed large for a 3-2 benefit and took management of the match with a wonderfully executed serve and volley to take the second set.
Djokovic confirmed some life within the third, however the comeback was shortlived as Popyrin crushed a ferocious forehand winner for a break of serve and 3-2 lead within the fourth.
“I’ve performed a few of the worst tennis I’ve ever performed, truthfully,” Djokovic mentioned. “Serving – by far – the worst ever.”
His defeat adopted the stunning exit of the 2022 champion, Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz entered the US Open because the match favorite having gained the French Open and Wimbledon, however was eradicated by 74th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 on Thursday.
It’s solely the third time within the Open period that two of the highest three males’s seeds on the US Open crash out earlier than the fourth spherical, the opposite such situations in 1973 and 2000.
“It was simply an terrible match for me,” Djokovic mentioned. “I wasn’t enjoying even near my greatest. It’s not good to be in that type of state the place you are feeling OK bodily, and naturally you’re motivated as a result of it’s a Grand Slam, however you simply aren’t capable of finding your recreation.
“That’s it. The sport is falling aside, and I suppose you need to settle for that tournaments like this occur.”
Djokovic was trying to turn into the primary participant in tennis historical past with 25 Grand Slam singles titles. As an alternative, after knee surgical procedure in June, he finishes a yr with out claiming no less than one main championship for the primary time since 2017.
Djokovic has reached the US Open closing 10 instances, and gained in 2011, 2015, 2018 and 2023.
Popyrin will now attempt to attain his first Grand Slam quarterfinal by getting previous Frances Tiafoe, who superior on Friday with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3 win over Ben Shelton in a matchup between two Individuals.
“If he serves effectively, performs effectively, he can beat anyone,” Djokovic mentioned about Popyrin. “Look, Alcaraz is out. I’m out. Some huge upsets. The draw is opening up.”
