Alexei Popyrin Stuns Novak Djokovic to Reach Pre-Quarterfinals at US Open 2024
In a remarkable upset at the US Open 2024, Australian tennis player Alexei Popyrin triumphed over Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, ranked second, with a score of 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 during their third-round encounter on Friday. This victory marks a significant milestone for Popyrin, ranked 28th in the world, as it is his first advancement to the pre-quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament throughout his career.
The shocking defeat for Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, comes just one day after another upset occurred when Carlos Alcaraz was eliminated by Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands. Notably, this victory is Popyrin’s first over the legendary Djokovic after three previous encounters, including matches earlier this year at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
Popyrin expressed his elation following the match, which lasted over three hours, stating, “Honestly, we had some battles at the Australian Open and at Wimbledon. I had my chances of getting in those matches but did not capitalize on them. This time, I was able to seize my opportunities and play some commendable tennis. It is difficult to articulate the joy I feel, as I have reached the third round of tournaments approximately 15 times but never moved forward to the fourth round. Achieving this against one of the greatest players of all time is simply phenomenal.”
Entering the tournament as a seeded player for the first time in his Grand Slam career, Popyrin’s achievement comes after he made history as the first Australian since Lleyton Hewitt in 2003 to claim an ATP 1000 title.
On the opposing side, the exit at this stage represents Djokovic’s earliest departure from the US Open in 18 years. The 37-year-old athlete will finish the year without a Grand Slam title, a troubling statistic for him, particularly considering his recent success in winning a Golden Slam at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Reflecting on his performance, Djokovic remarked, “I have played some of the worst tennis I have ever performed. I truly endeavored to give my best and encountered no physical problems; I simply felt exhausted. From the very beginning of this event, I struggled to identify my rhythm on the court.”
The match began at Arthur Ashe Stadium, with Popyrin missing three breakpoint opportunities in the seventh game of the first set. However, he managed to break Djokovic’s serve in the ninth game, seizing a 1-0 lead. Gaining confidence from his early success, Popyrin secured an additional break in the second set as Djokovic recorded three unforced errors during his serve in the fifth game. Maintaining his momentum, Popyrin extended his lead to 2-0.
Desperately needing a win, Djokovic bounced back in the third set, applying pressure with powerful returns and establishing a 3-0 lead after an early break. He eventually managed to break Popyrin’s serve in the sixth game, claiming a set.
As the fourth set commenced, both players exhibited cautious aggression; however, Popyrin took advantage of a critical opportunity in the fifth game. Despite Djokovic’s efforts to save three consecutive break points, he yielded, allowing Popyrin to secure another break in the seventh game, advancing to a 5-2 lead. Djokovic narrowed the gap to 5-4, but Popyrin’s fierce serves ensured he concluded the match in four sets.
Advancing to the pre-quarterfinals, Popyrin is set to face home favorite Frances Tiafoe in the upcoming stage of the US Open 2024. This victory for Popyrin not only highlights his potential but also adds an intriguing narrative to the tournament, establishing it as a remarkable opening to his professional journey in Grand Slam events.
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