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US Open defending champion Novak Djokovic has been knocked out of the tournament by Australia’s Alexei Popyrin. The no.2-seeded Djokovic crashed out of third round with a 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 loss at the Arthur Ashe stadium on August 30 night. This is the first time since 2017, Djokovic will finish the year without a Grand Slam title to his name.
Djokovic who has struggled with a knee injury was not energetic enough the Australian. The Serb who was chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title could not pull through like he has on several occasions in the past and lost to the 25-year-old.
"I played some good tennis. To be in the fourth round of a Grand Slam by beating the greatest of all time is unbelievable," Popyrin said in the post-match interaction.
This is the first season since 2002 that none of the Big Three of men's tennis -- Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer -- ended the season without a Slam trophy. Djokovic termed it as an awful match for him where he was nowhere near his best.
“It was just an awful match for me,” the No. 2-seeded Djokovic said. “I wasn't playing even close to my best. It's not good to be in that kind of state where you feel OK physically, and of course you're motivated because it's a Grand Slam, but you just are not able to find your game. That's it. The game is falling apart, and I guess you have to accept that tournaments like this happen.”
Earlier this month, Djokovic won the gold medal at Paris Olympics 2024 after beating Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in the final. The 37-year-old feels he is still feeling the after effects of the gruelling final.
“Obviously, it had an effect,” Djokovic said. “I spent a lot of energy winning the gold, and I did arrive to New York just not feeling fresh mentally and physically. But because it's the U.S. Open, I gave it a shot and I tried my best. I mean, I didn't have any physical issues. I just felt out of gas. And you could see that with the way I played.”
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After beating Djokovic, Popyrin will face Francees Tiafoe in the quarterfinal clash. Djokovic feels that Popyrin is capable of beating anyone.
“If he serves well, plays well, he can beat anybody. Look, Alcaraz is out. I'm out. Some big upsets. The draw is opening up,” he said.
Another major upset
Earlier on August 29, no.3-seeded Carlos Alcaraz suffered defeat Netherlands' Botic van De Zandschulp who is ranked 74th in the world. The 21-year-old lost 1-6, 5-7, 4-6 as he bowed out of the second round of the tournament.
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