In a stunning turn of events at the 2024 US Open, defending champion Novak Djokovic suffered a shock defeat against Australia's Alexei Popyrin in the third round. The 37-year-old Serbian legend, who was seeking his 25th Grand Slam title, was outplayed by the 28th-ranked Popyrin in a thrilling four-set match that lasted over three hours.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Match Recap
- Djokovic's Reaction
- Popyrin's Breakthrough Moment
- Historical Significance
- Looking Ahead
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Introduction
Novak Djokovic, the defending champion and second seed at the 2024 US Open, entered the tournament with high hopes of adding to his Grand Slam tally. However, his dreams were shattered in the third round when he faced a determined Alexei Popyrin, who played the match of his life to secure a stunning 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 victory over the Serbian legend.
Match Recap
The match began with both players trading blows, but it was Popyrin who struck first, breaking Djokovic's serve in the ninth game of the opening set to take a 1-0 lead. The Australian continued his momentum in the second set, breaking Djokovic early and holding his own serve to take a commanding 2-0 lead.
Djokovic, known for his resilience and ability to fight back from seemingly impossible situations, dug deep in the third set. He broke Popyrin's serve early and raced to a 3-0 lead before closing out the set 6-2 to reduce the deficit.
The fourth set was a tightly contested affair, with both players holding serve until the fifth game when Popyrin pounced on a crucial opportunity. He broke Djokovic's serve and consolidated the break to take a 4-2 lead. Djokovic fought back to make it 5-4, but Popyrin held his nerve to serve out the match and secure the biggest win of his career.
Djokovic's Reaction
Djokovic, who was visibly disappointed with his performance, admitted that he felt out of sorts from the beginning of the tournament. "I have played some of the worst tennis I have ever played," Djokovic said in his post-match interview. "Honestly, the way I felt and the way I played from the beginning of this tournament, third round is a success."
The Serbian legend also acknowledged that he lacked energy and made several unforced errors throughout the match. "I just felt out of gas, and you could see that. From the first match, I just didn't find myself on this court," he added.
Popyrin's Breakthrough Moment
For Alexei Popyrin, this victory represents a significant milestone in his career. The 25-year-old Australian, who entered the US Open as the 28th seed, had never before reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament. His win over Djokovic not only secures his place in the round of 16 but also marks his first victory over the 24-time Grand Slam champion in four attempts.
"Honestly, we had some battles at the Australian Open and at Wimbledon," Popyrin said after the match. "I had my chances of getting in those matches but didn't take them. This match I was able to take my chances when I got him and play some good tennis."
Popyrin's victory also comes on the heels of his historic achievement as the first Australian since Lleyton Hewitt in 2003 to win an ATP 1000 title earlier this year.
Historical Significance
Djokovic's defeat at the hands of Popyrin marks his earliest exit from the US Open in 18 years. It also means that for the first time since 2017, Djokovic will close the year without a Grand Slam title to his name.
Furthermore, this result, combined with Carlos Alcaraz's earlier loss to Botic van de Zandschulp, ensures that none of the 'Big 3' - Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal - will secure a Grand Slam title in a calendar year for the first time since 2002.
Looking Ahead
With Djokovic's early exit, the focus shifts to the remaining contenders in the US Open. Popyrin, who will face American Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round, will look to continue his giant-killing run and make further inroads into the tournament.
As for Djokovic, despite this setback, he can take solace in the fact that he recently won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, completing a career Golden Slam. However, the Serbian legend will undoubtedly be eager to bounce back and add to his Grand Slam tally in the coming seasons.
Conclusion
Novak Djokovic's shock defeat at the hands of Alexei Popyrin in the 2024 US Open third round has sent shockwaves through the tennis world. The defending champion's bid for a 25th Grand Slam title came to a premature end, but this result also opens up the tournament for other contenders to make their mark.
For Popyrin, this victory represents a career-defining moment, and he will look to build on this success in the future. As for Djokovic, while this defeat is undoubtedly a disappointment, he has proven time and again that he has the resilience and talent to bounce back stronger than ever.
FAQs
- What was the final score of the match between Djokovic and Popyrin? Alexei Popyrin defeated Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in the third round of the 2024 US Open.
- How significant is Popyrin's victory over Djokovic? Popyrin's win over Djokovic is the biggest of his career and marks the first time he has reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament.
- What is the historical significance of Djokovic's defeat? Djokovic's loss is his earliest exit from the US Open in 18 years and ensures that none of the 'Big 3' (Djokovic, Federer, Nadal) will win a Grand Slam title in a calendar year for the first time since 2002.
- Who will Popyrin face in the fourth round? Alexei Popyrin will take on American Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round of the 2024 US Open.
