Defending U.S. Open champion Novak Djokovic suffered a shocking loss in the third round to 28th-seeded Alexei Popyrin of Australia, ending his hopes of winning a 25th Grand Slam singles title. This marked the first year since 2017 that Djokovic failed to win a major championship, having undergone knee surgery in June. The elimination of Djokovic, along with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, marked the first season since 2002 that none of the “Big Three” of men’s tennis won a Slam trophy. Djokovic’s exit was his worst showing at Flushing Meadows since 2006.
Despite having reached the final in Arthur Ashe Stadium ten times and winning the title on four occasions, Djokovic appeared physically sluggish and emotionally flat during his match with Popyrin, double-faulting 14 times. The Australian player Popyrin, who had struggled against Djokovic in the past, broke him five times during the match and played aggressively with powerful forehand shots, accumulating 50 total winners. Popyrin’s victory over Djokovic was considered a breakthrough moment for him, having won his first ATP title just three weeks prior to the U.S. Open.
After defeating Djokovic, Popyrin is set to face No. 20 Frances Tiafoe in the next round as he aims to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinal. Tiafoe advanced with a win over No. 13 Ben Shelton in a five-set match between two American players. Djokovic’s loss came shortly after another top-seeded player, Carlos Alcaraz, was eliminated by 74th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp, marking a surprising turn of events in the tournament. Despite being favored to win the U.S. Open, Alcaraz acknowledged that his energy was lower than expected during the match.
The match between Djokovic and Popyrin featured intense exchanges and moments of high drama, with Popyrin ultimately prevailing after a hard-fought battle. The 25-year-old Australian, who had struggled in previous third-round matches at majors, displayed strong serving and a willingness to play aggressively at the net, winning points consistently when approaching the net. Djokovic, on the other hand, failed to meet his usual high standards, allowing Popyrin to dominate the match and secure a decisive win.
Popyrin’s victory over Djokovic was a significant milestone in his career, having previously struggled against the Serbian player and other higher-ranked opponents. The Australian’s aggressive style of play and strong net game proved to be effective against Djokovic, leading to his breakthrough win at the U.S. Open. As Popyrin prepares to face Tiafoe in the next round, he will be aiming to continue his impressive run and advance further in the tournament.
