In a shocking turn of events at the US Open, defending champion Novak Djokovic was eliminated in the third round by 28th-seeded Australian Alexei Popyrin. The match ended with a score of 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, marking Djokovic’s earliest exit from the tournament since 2006. This loss ends Djokovic’s bid for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title and means he will go a calendar year without winning a Slam for only the second time in 14 years.Popyrin, who had never beaten Djokovic in their previous three meetings, mixed patience and power to stun the four-time New York champion. The 25-year-old Australian, currently at a career-high ranking after winning the Canadian Open in August, will now face American Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round.’It’s unbelievable because I’ve been in the third round about 15 times and I haven’t been able to get to the fourth. To be able to do it against the greatest of all time is unbelievable. The hard work paid off,’ Popyrin said after the match.In other notable matches, Frances Tiafoe defeated fellow American Ben Shelton in a thrilling five-set battle, 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3. This victory marks Tiafoe’s fifth consecutive year in the fourth round of the tournament. Meanwhile, Taylor Fritz, the top-ranked American men’s player, cruised into the fourth round with a straight-set victory over Francisco Comesaña, winning 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the upcoming matches, particularly Popyrin vs. Tiafoe and Fritz’s quest for his first Grand Slam title.
Key points
- Novak Djokovic was eliminated in the third round of the US Open by Alexei Popyrin, ending his bid for a 25th Grand Slam title.
- Frances Tiafoe defeated Ben Shelton in a five-set thriller, advancing to the fourth round for the fifth consecutive year.
- Taylor Fritz, the top-ranked American, easily advanced to the fourth round with a straight-set victory over Francisco Comesaña.
Contradictions👾There is a slight discrepancy in reporting Djokovic’s performance.
While most sources state he lost in four sets, one source initially reported that Popyrin won the first two sets, implying the match might have ended in straight sets.
