Novak Djokovic’s reign as US Open champion came to an abrupt end on Friday, as the world No. 2 was eliminated in the third round by Australian Alexei Popyrin. The 28th-seeded Popyrin delivered a shocking upset, defeating Djokovic in four sets, 4-6, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6. This marks the first time Djokovic has failed to reach the fourth round of the US Open since 2013.
Djokovic, who had won three Grand Slam titles last year, entered the tournament as the defending champion and a strong contender for the title. However, he faced a tough opponent in Popyrin, who played with great aggression and consistency throughout the match. Djokovic struggled to find his rhythm and ultimately fell short against the determined Australian.
The loss is a major setback for Djokovic, who was looking to add to his impressive Grand Slam tally of 24 titles. He will now have to wait until the next Grand Slam event, the Australian Open, to try and regain his winning form. This unexpected defeat has sent shockwaves through the tennis world and raised questions about Djokovic’s ability to maintain his dominance in the years to come.
