Witness the historic upset as Alexei Popyrin shocks Novak Djokovic at the 2024 US Open. Explore match highlights, analysis, and player insights.
A Shock to the Tennis World
The 2024 US Open witnessed one of the biggest upsets in recent tennis history when 25-year-old Australian Alexei Popyrin knocked out the defending champion, Novak Djokovic, in the third round. This result sent shockwaves throughout the tennis community as Djokovic, a 23-time Grand Slam champion and widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, failed to continue his title defense. The final score line read 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in favor of the young Aussie, who now finds himself in uncharted territory in his career.
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Alexei Popyrin’s Greatest Triumph
For Alexei Popyrin, this victory is nothing short of a career-defining moment. Ranked 28th in the world, Popyrin has been gradually making his mark on the ATP Tour, but a victory of this magnitude was unforeseen. Over the course of a nearly three-and-a-half-hour match, Popyrin demonstrated remarkable composure and resilience. He not only pushed the No. 2 seed to his limits but also maintained his focus and determination throughout the match, refusing to let Djokovic gain control.
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Alexei Popyrin’s strategy was clear from the start: he took the game to Novak Djokovic, using his powerful groundstrokes and aggressive play at the net to unsettle the Serbian star. The young Aussie showcased a level of maturity and confidence that belied his relatively low profile on the global tennis stage. This match will undoubtedly be remembered as the greatest win of Popyrin’s career so far.
Djokovic’s Struggles on Court
On the other side of the net, Novak Djokovic was far from his best. The Serbian legend, known for his incredible consistency and mental toughness, appeared to be out of sorts for much of the match. His performance was marred by uncharacteristic errors, particularly in the first set, where he committed seven unforced errors. Djokovic’s struggles were evident as he repeatedly found himself either missing the court or mistiming his shots.
The first set was a crucial turning point in the match. At 2-3, Djokovic had four break points to take control, but he was unable to convert any of them. This allowed Popyrin to stay in the set, and when Djokovic hit a backhand error at 4-4, Alexei Popyrin pounced, breaking the Serbian’s serve and taking the first set. This breakthrough seemed to fuel Popyrin’s confidence, and he quickly wrapped up the set 6-4.
The second set followed a similar pattern. Novak Djokovic continued to struggle with his timing and consistency, while Alexei Popyrin grew more confident with each passing game. The Aussie once again broke Djokovic’s serve and took the set by the same score, putting the defending champion in a two-set hole.
Djokovic’s Fightback Falls Short
Despite the deficit, Novak Djokovic is not one to go down without a fight. The third set saw a resurgence from the Serb, who displayed the kind of tennis that has made him a Grand Slam champion 23 times over. Djokovic won the set convincingly, 6-2, showing glimpses of his best form. For a moment, it seemed as though the match was turning in his favor, and the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium prepared for a classic Djokovic comeback.
However, Popyrin was not to be denied. The fourth set saw the Aussie regain his composure and take the match back to Djokovic. He broke Djokovic’s serve twice to take a commanding 5-2 lead. Serving for the match at 5-4, Popyrin was flawless. He fired his 15th ace to bring up match point and then closed out the match without conceding a point, ending Djokovic’s tournament with a powerful final serve.
Popyrin’s Sweet Revenge
This victory was particularly sweet for Popyrin, who had suffered four-set defeats to Djokovic earlier in the year at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Those losses must have been fresh in his mind as he took to the court in New York, but this time, Popyrin was determined to make his chances count. “Third time lucky, I guess,” he said after the match, reflecting on his previous encounters with Djokovic.
Popyrin’s triumph was a testament to his growth as a player and his ability to learn from past experiences. He acknowledged the significance of the moment, saying, “To be able to do it against the greatest of all time to get into the fourth round is unbelievable. It’s a great feeling and the hard work has paid off.”
Djokovic Reflects on Disappointment
For Djokovic, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. The 2024 season, which saw him win the Olympic gold in Paris, has been a rollercoaster, and this early exit at the US Open marks a disappointing end to his Grand Slam campaign. “He definitely played better and deserved to win today,” Djokovic admitted in his post-match interview. “Honestly, the way I felt and the way I played from the beginning of this tournament, third round is a success. I mean, I have played some of the worst tennis I have ever played, honestly, serving by far the worst ever.”
Djokovic’s candid assessment of his performance highlighted the depth of his disappointment. This defeat also marks the first time since 2017 that Djokovic has ended a season without winning a Grand Slam title. Moreover, it is the first year since 2002 that no member of the “Big 3″—Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal—has won a major singles crown.
What’s Next?
Popyrin’s victory has opened up the men’s draw significantly. With Djokovic out, the path to the title is now wide open. The Australian will next face American favorite Frances Tiafoe, in what promises to be another thrilling encounter. Djokovic himself acknowledged the unpredictability of the draw, stating, “Look, Alcaraz is out, I’m out… some big upsets. The draw is opening up. Obviously, Sinner is the main favorite, but then, you know, Tiafoe is there as well as American favorite, Fritz. Zverev, you have great guys playing well, and Rublev, Dimitrov in this part of the draw. Anybody can take it. It’s going to be interesting to see who takes the title in the end.”
For Popyrin, this win not only propels him into the fourth round of the US Open for the first time in his career but also establishes him as a serious contender in the tournament. Regardless of what happens next, this victory over Djokovic will be a highlight of his career for years to come.
As for Djokovic, the loss will undoubtedly lead to some introspection as he looks to bounce back in future tournaments. While this year may not have gone according to plan, the Serbian star has proven time and again that he has the resilience to overcome setbacks and return stronger.
The 2024 US Open has already delivered one of its most memorable moments, and with more matches to come, fans can only wait and see what other surprises are in store.