sb.scorecardresearch

Published 09:31 IST, August 31st 2024

Massive Shocker at US Open! Alexei Popyrin Stuns Novak Djoković, Shattering his 25th Title Hopes

The No. 2 seed Novak Djokovic aimed to become the first tennis player in history to win 25 Grand Slam singles titles. But he was defeated by Alexei Popyrin.

Follow: Google News Icon
  • share
Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, wipes his face against Alexei Popyrin, of Australia, during a third-round match of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York. | Image: AP

The US Open has turned out as an unpredictable competition after the shocking exit of Carlos Alcaraz. The Spanish tennis star was ousted from the competition after he lost to the unseeded Botic van de Zandschulp. As shocking as it was, the next day brought another big jolt after Novak Djokovic was eliminated from the competition. 

Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz Crashes Out Of US Open: 74th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp Defeats Alcaraz

28th-seeded Alexei Popyrin Stuns Defending Champion Novak Djokovic at 2024 US Open Tournament

One night after Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out of the US Open tennis competition, defending champion Novak Djokovic was stunned at Flushing Meadows when he lost 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 to 28th-seeded Alexei Popyrin. The number 2 seed Novak Djokovic aimed to become the first tennis player in history to win 25 Grand Slam singles titles. Instead, he finishes an entire season without winning at least one major championship, for the first time since 2017. Before that, it had not occurred since 2010. It is a massive upset since Novak is fresh off an Olympic gold medal win at the 2024 Paris Games and was a promising candidate to win the US Open title.

Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, reacts against Alexei Popyrin, of Australia, during a third round match of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York. | Image: AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson

Djokovic's mistakes and double faults costed him big-time and looked rather sluggish during the US Open third round. The Serbian tennis star has been constantly active since coming off the knee surgery and hasn't had any proper rest. While his knee did not pose any issue to the Serbian tennis star, fatigue could be one of the big reasons for Novak's setback.

Also Read: US Open 2024: Rohan Bopanna-Matthew Ebden Move to Second Round After 64-minute Battle

The superstar Tennis player, who was aiming for his 25th singles Grand Slam title, has failed to clinch a title win. The year 2024 will be marked as the season where the Big Three of Men's Tennis – Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic – haven't won a singles title since 2002.

Novak, 37, has won the US Open men's singles titles in 2011, 2015, 2018 and 2023. Djokovic reached to the final at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in ten occasions

Updated 10:14 IST, August 31st 2024