In a shocking upset at the US Open, defending champion Novak Djokovic was defeated by Australian Alexei Popyrin in the third round. Djokovic, who was aiming for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, was outplayed by Popyrin in a 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 victory. The loss marked Djokovic’s first season without a major championship since 2017.
Popyrin, who had previously lost to Djokovic at the Australian Open and Wimbledon earlier in the year, celebrated his first-ever major round of 16 appearance with the win. Djokovic attributed his defeat to feeling mentally and physically drained after winning the gold medal in the men’s singles at the Paris Olympics.
The match saw Djokovic struggle with an unusually high number of double faults and a lackluster performance, while Popyrin showcased his skills with 50 winners. Djokovic’s exit from the tournament came on the heels of another major upset, with 2022 champion Carlos Alcaraz also being eliminated by an unseeded player.
Popyrin will now face Frances Tiafoe in his quest for a first Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance. Djokovic, who has won the US Open four times, expressed disappointment at his performance, acknowledging that his game had faltered and noting the unexpected turn of events in the tournament draw.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com