Novak Djokovic failed to reach the US Open fourth round for the first time in 16 years after losing to 28th seed Alexei Popyrin of Australia. The defending champion was beaten in four sets -- 4-6, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6 -- at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday, August 30. Djokovic will finish the year without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2017.
Djokovic, playing in his first hard-court tournament since March, lacked energy as he allowed Popyrin to dominate the first two sets. Unforced errors flowed as the Serb, who was chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title, paid the price for leaving it a bit too late. The Paris Olympics champion could not dig into his incredible repository of grit as he crumbled in the fourth set.
The shocking upset comes a day after 2022 champion and third seed Carlos Alcaraz was shown the door in the second round. This is the first time since 1973 that the second and the third seeds have been ousted before the fourth round in men's singles at the US Open.
Novak Djokovic has come back 8 times from two sets down in Grand Slams, but it was not meant to be for the Serb on Friday as he lost 4=6, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6 in three hours and 19 minutes.
Popyrin, 25, clinched the biggest win of his career to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time.
Popyrin got off to a great start to the match dominating the defending champion in the first two sets winning them comfortably by 6-4, 6-4. However, the four-time US Open champion showed his class to the Australian as he made a roaring comeback in the third set by breaking him thrice to seal it by 6-2.
Notably, the Serbian legend has managed to claw his way back into the match after being two sets down and winning it on eight occasions in his Grand Slam career. Djokovic's last such win came at Flushing Meadows in 2023 where he was put to test by compatriot Laslo Djere and was on the verge of a third-round exit being two straight sets down.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner summoned all his greatness to put up a show for the ages to get the better of Djere. Saturday night transported the veteran back to the same condition as the crowd waited with bated breath for the most decorated men's player in tennis history to once again weave his magic with the racquet.
Djokovic responded well by winning the third set and putting his fighting spirit on display, bringing the audience to the edge of their seats. The vintage Djokovic was back for a brief moment when he had the crowd roaring for him. The fans at the Arthur Ashe Stadium wanted a five-setter and they cheered the Serb on.
However, Popyrin brought out his A game, pumping up the crowd, and going a double break up early in the fourth set. Djokovic tried to hang on, but it was too late for the Serb. Popyrin matched Djokovic shot-to-shot from the baseline in an incredible display of groundstrokes. Popyrin's forehand winners were too good to handle, more often than not.
It was Djokovic's serve that let him down on Friday as he managed a win percentage of just 54 percent. He made 49 unforced errors, 1 fewer than Popyrin, but they came at crucial junctures.
Popyrin will face American Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round. Tiafoe, 20th seed, knocked out his compatriot Ben Shelton in a Friday matinee blockbuster.
With Djokovic and Alcaraz's exit, the men's singles draw is wide open. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who has looked flawless so far in New York, has a chance to silence his critics with his maiden Grand Slam title at the Big Apple.
