Novak Djokovic’s US Open title defense came to an abrupt end on Friday as he was stunned by an in-form Alexei Popyrin who produced the match of his life.
Djokovic joined Carlos Alcaraz in suffering a shocking third-round exit, and the Serb will have to wait until January to reignite his quest for a 25th grand slam title.
Number 28 seed Popyrin, who is enjoying his most successful season on the ATP Tour, came up with the goods to defeat Djokovic for the first time on his fourth attempt, prevailing 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4.
The Australian has set up a fourth-round clash with Frances Tiafoe after he edged past compatriot Ben Shelton in a five-set thriller.
For Djokovic, it was a bitter disappointment as the defending champion fell to his earliest exit at the US Open since 2006.
Novak Djokovic reveals his ‘issue’ after US Open exit
Novak Djokovic produced an exhilarating comeback from two sets down against compatriot Laslo Djere in last year’s third round and, after the 37-year-old had won the third set against the Aussie, it started to feel as if it might be deja vu.
However, Popyrin snapped the momentum shift and pulled away in the fourth set to get over the line in the greatest victory of his career.
The 24-time major champion was left bewildered on Arthur Ashe Stadium as the match slipped away from his grasp.
“I tried so many things and sometimes that’s an issue,” Djokovic said in his press conference. “You move away from the basics that work and then you lose the basics, the foundations, the movements, the timing, the rhythm, the tempo, everything.
“Whether it’s a serve or any other shot it was a big struggle for me mentally to play these three matches here because I wasn’t playing even close to my best. It’s not good to be in that kind of state where you feel okay physically and are motivated because it’s a grand slam but you are not able to find your game.”
What does this mean for the rest of the US Open?
It might not come as too much of a surprise to some to see the world number two struggle to find the same desire he displayed in Paris earlier this month.
In winning a gold medal at the Olympics, Djokovic essentially completed tennis and further cemented his status as the greatest ever.
However, with the reigning champion joining Alcaraz in early defeat, the stars may be aligning for a fresh face to join the winner’s circle in New York.
Tiafoe, who came mightily close to reaching the 2022 final, will now fancy his chances to progress deep into the second week.
With world number one Jannik Sinner and 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev fighting in the other half of the draw, could this be the American’s best opportunity to triumph?
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