2024-09-06 22:09:32
New York: A day after Carlos Alcaraz’s exit, defending champion Novak Djokovic also crashed out of the US Open tennis tournament after losing a four-set match. Djokovic, who was trying to win his 25th Grand Slam title, was defeated by 28th seed Alexei Popyrin of Australia 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. This is the first time since 2017 that second seed Djokovic has not won a single Grand Slam tournament in a year.
This had happened earlier in 2010 as well. Not only this, this is the first time since 2002 that none of the three tennis legends Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have won a Grand Slam trophy in a single year. Djokovic had earlier failed to progress beyond the third round of the US Open in 2005 and 2006. This 37-year-old player became the champion here in 2011, 2015, 2018 and 2023.
Djokovic looked tired in the match
Djokovic, who won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, committed 14 double faults and looked tired during the match. This is Australia’s 25-year-old Popyrin’s first win against Djokovic. Now he will face 20th seed Francis Tiafoe of America, who defeated compatriot Ben Shenton 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3.
In the women’s category, defending champion and third seed Coco Gauff managed to advance despite losing the first set. The American player took a strong step towards defending her title by defeating 27th seed Elina Svitolina 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. Emma Navarro also managed to make it to the next round. This 13th seeded player defeated 19th seed Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.