Not even a couple days removed from Carlos Alcaraz crashing out of the tournament from the unlikely hands of Botic van de Zandschulp (6-1, 7-5, 6-4), defending US Open champion Novak Djokovic just suffered the same fate as Australia’s Alexei Popyrin knocked him out in the third round of the event.
Popyrin—still relatively fresh from winning his biggest tournament in Montreal—stunned the whole world after a four-set victory over the 24-time major winner (6-4. 6-4, 2-6, 6-4).
Prior to this win, the 25-year-old from Sydney had lost all three meetings with the ‘Djoker.’
This was Djokovic’s earliest exit in Flushing Meadows since 2006. The loss also marks the first time neither of the ‘Big 3’ have won a single slam dating back to 2002.
Alcaraz, Djokovic sent packing
Djokovic and Alcaraz, had you tuned in during the spectacle in Paris, contested arguably the greatest Olympic tennis match in history. Both absolutely gave it their all and played tennis nearer to the gods.
It was an excruciating affair, which Djokovic won in straight sets (7-6, 7-6)—the match lasting nearly three hours long.
Because of the physical and mental toll, Djokovic skipped Montreal and Cincinnati (the two Masters tournaments contested before the US Open), whilst Alcaraz played in the latter.
And it was one to forget for the Spaniard superstar as he bowed out of contention when he lost to Gael Monfils in the round of 32, smashing his racquet in the process.
Plenty of fans and analysts attributed it to the Olympic hangover, and had you judged them wrong about it, well then his defeat in the hands of van de Zandschulp has probably changed your mind.
Still yet to win a title in his career, the 28-year-old played his heart out and did not let his slam winning counterpart a chance of finding his groove.
The first set was a massacre, with Alcaraz unable to score a single winner against his opponent’s six, and going 0-3 on his net points as compared to van de Zandschulp’s 10-11.
Despite his improved performance in the second and third sets, the Dutchman—struggling to find his form throughout the year—had suddenly turned into a formidable foe, and Alcaraz found no way past him.
The sight of Alcaraz losing probably boosted Djokovic’s hopes of surpassing Margaret Court’s record after he equalled it at the same event last year.
But Popyrin had other plans.
Heavily favoured by the SBOTOP US Open 2024 odds to win, Djokovic was still touted to take control even after losing the first two sets, attributing to his history of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
A sure comeback was expected by almost every tennis fan after Djokovic clawed back with a huge win in the third set.
It was a crucial time for Popyrin; lose the set and he will have his back against the wall against one of the sport’s greatest.
To his credit, he responded well. After Djokovic took a 1-2 lead, the Aussie won four straight games to give himself enough leeway should his level go down and Djokovic mounts one of his patented comebacks.
And Djoker almost did, winning two straight games as Popyrin had the chance to serve for the match.
Nerves and pressure aside, and the fact you’re faced against a titan like Djokovic, Popyrin did well, winning four straight points to seal the act.
Perhaps the most glaring stat was Djokovic’s 14 double faults—something that is unlike the four-time US Open winner.
According to US Open 2024 updates, Djokovic spoke of his inability to serve well, leading to his downfall in the match.
“… I played some of the worst tennis I’ve ever played in my life. Serving by far the worst ever,” he said.
Sinner’s title to lose
Imagine being a fly on the wall, seeing Jannik Sinner’s reaction after the madness that just transpired at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Now that two of the biggest roadblocks to his US Open success are out of the picture, the odds of winning the final Grand Slam of the year now fully shift to the world number one—notwithstanding the likes of Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud still in contention.
He’s beaten his first and second round opponents convincingly—albeit there was a tiny scare in the first round after he surrendered the first set to Mackenzie McDonald.
Sinner faces Australia’s Christopher O’Connell in the third round tomorrow.
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