Novak Djokovic Shocked by Alexei Popyrin in Early US Open Exit: A Historic Blow for the Defending Champion

In a stunning turn of events at the US Open, defending champion Novak Djokovic has crashed out of the tournament in the third round, falling to Australian Alexei Popyrin in a dramatic 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 defeat. This loss marks Djokovic’s earliest exit from the US Open in 18 years and leaves his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title in limbo.

Djokovic’s Disappointing Performance

Djokovic, who had been a dominant force in tennis, was far from his usual self on the court. The Serb committed a career-high 14 double faults and made 49 unforced errors, leading him to describe his performance as “some of the worst tennis I have ever played.”

“I honestly felt from the beginning of this tournament that reaching the third round was a success,” Djokovic admitted, reflecting on his lackluster showing. His defeat follows the early exit of French Open and Wimbledon winner Carlos Alcaraz, who was ousted by unseeded Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round.

Popyrin’s Triumph

Popyrin, the 28th seed, capitalized on Djokovic’s struggles to secure his first fourth-round appearance at a Grand Slam. The Sydney native, fresh off winning his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title in Montreal, showcased remarkable composure and confidence throughout the match.

The 25-year-old Popyrin held firm under pressure, converting his fourth break point in the decisive fourth set to seal his victory. Despite a brief hiccup where he failed to serve out the match on his first attempt, Popyrin clinched the win with powerful serving and a solid performance, pushing Djokovic to his limits.

“It’s unbelievable,” Popyrin said. “To do it against the greatest of all time to get into the fourth round is incredible. It feels amazing that all the hard work has paid off.”

Tiafoe Outlasts Shelton in Epic Battle

Earlier in the day, Frances Tiafoe delivered a thrilling performance to overcome Ben Shelton in a five-set marathon. Tiafoe avenged his loss to Shelton from last year’s quarter-finals, emerging victorious with a score of 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-3.

Tiafoe, who reached the US Open semi-finals in 2022, displayed resilience and determination, coming from behind twice to secure the win. “Ben is an incredible player,” Tiafoe said. “He goes for all kinds of shots, and it’s really annoying.”

The Road Ahead

The loss leaves Djokovic with no Grand Slam titles for the year, a first since 2017. His exit also means Roger Federer remains the last man to successfully defend the US Open title, having done so in 2008.

As the tournament progresses, Popyrin will face Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round, while other top players continue their quest for glory. American 12th seed Taylor Fritz remains unbeaten in New York, and Russian sixth seed Andrey Rublev has advanced to the fourth round, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the US Open.

Djokovic’s early departure is a significant upset in the tennis world, signaling a potential shift in the dynamics of the sport’s elite players. The tournament now looks to other stars to fill the void left by the defending champion’s unexpected exit.