Novak Djokovic Suffers Stunning US Open Upset
Djokovic Defeated by Popyrin in Third Round
In a major upset, world number one Novak Djokovic was eliminated from the US Open in the third round by Australian Alexei Popyrin.
Popyrin, ranked 113th in the world, played aggressively throughout the match, hitting 33 winners and breaking Djokovic's serve on five occasions.
Djokovic, who was seeking his 21st Grand Slam title, struggled to find his rhythm and committed 37 unforced errors.
Key Moments in the Match
- Popyrin broke Djokovic's serve in the first game of the match.
- Djokovic fought back to win the second set, but Popyrin dominated the third and fourth sets.
- Popyrin sealed the victory with an ace on match point.
Reactions from the Players
Popyrin expressed his disbelief at the victory, saying, "I can't believe I beat Novak Djokovic at the US Open. It's an incredible feeling."
Djokovic admitted that he was not at his best, saying, "I didn't play well today. Credit to Alexei, he played a great match."
Djokovic's Grand Slam Hopes Derailed
The defeat ended Djokovic's hopes of winning the calendar-year Grand Slam. He had already won the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon this year.
It also represents a significant setback in his pursuit of breaking the men's record of 20 Grand Slam titles, held by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Conclusion
Novak Djokovic's early exit from the US Open is a major upset. Alexei Popyrin played an inspired match to knock out the world number one and will now face Casper Ruud in the fourth round.
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