Alexei Popyrin defeats Novak Djokovic in four sets Friday evening at the US Open
Alexei Popyrin pulled off one of the most stunning upsets of the 2024 US Open, defeating Novak Djokovic in a thrilling four-set match on Friday, August 31. The Australian tennis player shocked the defending champion with a 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 victory under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium. The loss marks Djokovic’s first season without a Grand Slam title since 2017, leaving tennis fans in disbelief.
Djokovic, who was eyeing his 25th Grand Slam title, struggled throughout the match. He committed 14 double faults, the most he has ever served in a Grand Slam match. These errors proved costly, particularly in the fourth set, when Djokovic handed Popyrin a double break after back-to-back double faults. While Popyrin was broken when first trying to serve out the match, he quickly recovered and sealed his victory just two games later.
This upset was the second major shock in consecutive days on the iconic court. Just a day earlier, World No. 74 Botic van de Zandschulp defeated Carlos Alcaraz, the 2022 US Open champion, in straight sets, showing that this year’s tournament is full of surprises.
Popyrin, who had previously faced Djokovic three times this year without success, finally found his breakthrough moment. After his victory, he expressed his amazement: “Third time lucky, I guess. We’ve had some battles this year at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and I had my chances. This time, I was able to take them and played some of my best tennis.”
The win is a significant milestone in Popyrin’s career. He has now advanced to the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time after 15 third-round appearances. “To do it against the greatest of all time and make it to the fourth round is just unbelievable,” Popyrin added, describing his emotions after the match.
For Djokovic, the defeat comes after an intense season focused on winning Olympic gold in Paris. In the post-match press conference, Djokovic admitted that his Olympic pursuit took a toll on him. “I spent a lot of energy winning the gold. I came to New York not feeling fresh. I tried my best, but from the first match, I just didn’t find myself on this court,” Djokovic said. “Life moves on, and I’ll try to look forward to what’s next.”
Popyrin’s triumph continues a remarkable run in August for the 25-year-old Australian. Earlier this month, he captured his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Montreal, defeating five Top 20 players along the way. His latest win against Djokovic further solidifies his place among the rising stars of tennis. Popyrin is currently ranked No. 23 in the world, a career-high, and is now preparing to face American Frances Tiafoe in the next round. It will be the first time the two players meet, and fans are eager to see if Popyrin can continue his incredible momentum.
For Djokovic, this loss means he will end the season without a Grand Slam title, something that hasn’t happened since 2017. The last time he exited the US Open this early was back in 2006. The defeat also marks a rare season in tennis history, as it is the first time since 2002 that neither Djokovic, Roger Federer, nor Rafael Nadal has won a Grand Slam.
Popyrin’s victory on Friday night will go down as one of the most memorable moments of this year’s US Open. Whether he can keep up his strong performance remains to be seen, but for now, his defeat of Djokovic has certainly earned him a place in the spotlight.
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