Defending champion Novak Djokovic’s reign at the US Open came to an abrupt end in the third round, as he succumbed to a stunning 4-6, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6 defeat against Australia’s Alexei Popyrin. This marks Djokovic’s earliest exit at a Grand Slam since the 2017 Australian Open, where he was upset by Denis Istomin in the second round.
Djokovic’s ouster follows the shock elimination of 2022 champion Carlos Alcaraz in the second round, leaving the US Open without any of the “Big Three” (Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer) in the Round of 16 for the first time since the 2004 French Open.
The Serb’s defeat was largely self-inflicted, as he committed a career-high 14 double faults, including four that handed Popyrin a double break in the fourth set. Despite breaking back once, Djokovic was unable to prevent the Aussie from closing out the match two games later.
Popyrin, who had previously pushed Djokovic to four sets at the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year, finally secured his first victory against the 24-time Grand Slam winner in their fourth encounter. The Australian’s triumph was particularly impressive considering he had never advanced beyond the third round of a Grand Slam before.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Popyrin. “I’ve been in the third round about 15 times in my career, but I haven’t been able to get past to the fourth round. To be able to do it against the greatest of all time to get into the fourth round is unbelievable.”
Popyrin’s victory continues a remarkable summer for the Australian, who recently captured the Cincinnati Open title, his maiden Masters 1000 triumph. He will now face American Jenson Brooksby in the fourth round, aiming to continue his dream run at the US Open.
