Alexei Popyrin shocked the world quantity two by not profitable a Grand Slam title for the primary time since 2017.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic suffered a significant upset on the US Open, shedding to Alexei Popyrin, who ended the Serbian’s bid for a record-breaking twenty fifth Grand Slam title.
Australian participant Popyrin defeated Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 within the third spherical at Flushing Meadows on Friday.
“I put loads of effort into profitable the gold medal, however I did get to New York and simply did not really feel recent mentally and bodily,” Djokovic instructed reporters. Earlier this month, he received the boys’s singles gold medal on the Paris Olympics.
Popyrin, who misplaced to Djokovic at each the Australian Open and Wimbledon this 12 months, reached the highest 16 of a Grand Slam for the primary time and celebrated his victory along with his arms raised.
“I assume it is third time fortunate,” Popyrin stated in an on-court interview.
The 37-year-old Djokovic was uncharacteristically sloppy, double-faulting 14 occasions – a document for him in a Grand Slam event – whereas his 25-year-old opponent hit 50 winners.
The world No. 2 had 5 break alternatives within the opener however was unable to transform them, with Popyrin main 5-4 after the primary break alternative to win the primary set.
Within the second set, Popyrin broke serve once more, and Djokovic’s volley missed, main 3-2. He managed the sport with good serve and volley and received the second set.
Djokovic confirmed some vitality within the third recreation, however his comeback did not final lengthy as Popyrin broke serve within the fourth recreation with a ferocious forehand winner to take a 3-2 lead.
“Truthfully, I’ve performed among the worst tennis I’ve ever performed,” Djokovic stated. “The service is by far the worst ever.”
His defeat comes after the shock exit of 2022 champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz entered the U.S. Open as the favourite after profitable the French Open and Wimbledon, however was defeated by No. 74 Botik 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 on Thursday. Vander Zandschulp was eradicated.
It is solely the third time within the Open period that two of the highest three males’s seeds on the U.S. Open have been eradicated earlier than the fourth spherical, with the others coming in 1973 and 2000.
“It was a nasty recreation for me,” Djokovic stated. “I did not play my finest. It is not good to be in that state the place you are feeling good bodily, and naturally you are motivated as a result of it is a Grand Slam, however you simply cannot discover your recreation.
“That is it. The sport is falling aside and I believe it’s important to settle for that video games like this occur.
Djokovic is attempting to develop into the primary participant in tennis historical past to win 25 Grand Slam singles titles. As an alternative, he went a 12 months with out profitable at the very least one main title for the primary time since 2017 after present process knee surgical procedure in June.
Djokovic has reached the U.S. Open finals 10 occasions, profitable in 2011, 2015, 2018 and 2023.
Popyrin will now attempt to attain his first Grand Slam quarter-final by defeating Frances Tiafoe, who beat Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (5-5) on Friday. ), 6-4, 6-3 defeated Ben Shelton to advance to the showdown between the 2 Individuals.
“If he serves effectively and performs effectively, he can beat anybody,” Djokovic stated of Popyrin. “Look, Alcaraz is out. I am out. Some huge upset. The draw is about to start.
