Novak Djokovic fell to Alexei Popyrin in four sets in the third round

Novak Djokovic experienced his earliest US Open defeat since 2006, falling to Alexei Popyrin in the third round. The Serb could not defend his title in New York or chase the 25th Major crown. However, he will not feel too much disappointed, claiming the Olympic Games gold medal less than a month ago and fulfilling his dream.

Finding the motivation just a couple of weeks later and seeking a Major crown proved difficult for the greatest player of all time, embracing a rare season without a notable trophy by his name. The legend took a break following that epic victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the gold medal clash, skipping Montreal and Cincinnati and losing rhythm.

Novak traveled to New York without matches in his hands and did not look good in his opening two encounters. The defending champion served at 47% and hit ten double faults against Radu Albot in the first round, playing below his best but sealing the deal in straight sets.

Djokovic faced Laslo Djere in the second round and served below 50% for the second straight time.

The more experienced Serb overcame a deficit in the second set and moved through when his rival retired early in the third.

Thus, the four-time champion reached the US Open third round for the 18th time from as many trips to New York. Still, his journey ended against an in-form Alexei Popyrin, with the Aussie toppling the legend 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in three hours and 19 minutes, delivering Djokovic’s earliest US Open loss in 18 years.

Two rivals embraced their third match at Majors this year, and the Canada Masters champion felt ready to topple the legend. Novak had his chances to prolong the battle, generating 16 break points and converting only four, three in the third set.

On the other hand, Alexei secured five breaks from 12 chances, taking three points more than world no. 2 and sealing the deal in four sets. They hit a similar number of aces, and the Serb wrecked his chances after 14 double faults, struggling behind the initial shot again and missing his usual pace!

 Novak Djokovic, US Open 2024© Stream screenshot

Novak Djokovic suffered his earliest US Open loss in 18 years.

Popyrin took charge and controlled the pace with 50 winners and unforced errors. World no. 2 missed his chances in sets one and four, losing the pivotal points and suffering an early loss, the worst at Majors in seven and a half years.

Djokovic was off to a good start, serving well in the opening four service games and creating chances that could have sent him in front. The Aussie sprayed a forehand error in the sixth game, playing against five break points!

The veteran played a loose drop shot on the first, and that miss would cost him dearly. Alexei saved the remaining four with service winners, producing a crucial hold and remaining on the positive side. The younger player held after a deuce in the eighth game and stepped in on the return in the next one.

Popyrin fired a forehand winner at 4-4, generating three break chances and drawing the rival’s error on the first for the first advantage. The Canada Masters champion served for the opener at 5-4 and created three set points with a smash winner.

 Alexei Popyrin, US Open 2024© Stream screenshot

The Aussie fired a service winner on the first, rattling off ten points and wrapping up the opener 6-4 in 45 minutes. Alexei served well in the second set, keeping the pressure on Novak.

The defending champion held after deuces in the first game before experiencing more issues at 2-2. The lower-ranked player generated three break points with a fine lob and grabbed the third after the rival’s mistake, moving 3-2 in front and gaining confidence.

The 28th seed held in the next one with a forehand winner and brought the eighth game home after a deuce with a service winner for a 5-3 lead. Popyrin served for the set at 5-4 and landed a serve & volley combo, holding and building two sets to love advantage after an hour and a half.

The Serb shifted into a higher gear in the third set, providing three breaks and kicking off his comeback. Djokovic broke in the second game and held after a deuce for 3-0, boosting his chances.Novak Djokovic, US Open 2024© Stream screenshot

Alexei pulled the break back in the fifth game after Novak’s loose backhand, returning to the positive side and closer to the finish line.

The Serb made another push on the return in game six, overcoming a 40-15 deficit and passing his rival at the net for a break and a 4-2 lead. The veteran fired a service winner in the seventh game and completed the set with another break at 5-2, reducing the overall deficit after two hours and 12 minutes.

The 28th seed saved two break points in the second game of the fourth set and created four break opportunities at 2-2. Djokovic denied three before Popyrin cracked a forehand winner on the fourth, opening a 3-2 advantage and roaring in joy.

World no. 2 responded with a smash winner in the sixth game, generating two break chances and hoping to erase the deficit.Novak Djokovic, US Open 2024© Stream screenshot
The Aussie denied them with winners and held with an ace for a 4-2 lead.

Novak experienced another blow in the seventh game, missing game points and placing a forehand long to suffer a break and fall 5-2 behind. The Serb created four break points in the eighth game while his rival served for the win, converting the last with a forehand winner and extending the duel.

The defending champion held after a deuce in the ninth game and wished for another break at 4-5. However, Popyrin held at love after the rival’s forehand error, moving over the top and celebrating his career-best victory.