Shock at the US Open: Sensational Popyrin stuns Djokovic in major upset

Alexei Popyrin delivers another surprise at this US Open by eliminating Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in the third round of the tournament. The 24-time Grand Slam champion had moments of great play and resisted the Australian, but he struggled significantly with his serve, committing a total of 13 double faults, an absolute record in his career.

Djokovic (No. 2) started with good service games, although without putting much pressure on a determined Popyrin (No. 28), who from the beginning sought to shorten points by constantly approaching the net with considerable effectiveness (10/13).

Popyrin faced his first tough moment when he was down 0-40 in the 6th game but managed to come through with strong serves to maintain parity. The Australian surprised everyone by securing a break to love in the 9th game and then closed the set 6-4.

The world No. 28 did not let up in the second set, putting Djokovic under pressure from the return, especially after breaking in the 5th game on his third chance. Popyrin maintained his strategy of shortening points and used slices when Nole forced longer rallies. However, Djokovic could not find solutions to his opponent's serve, and Popyrin took the second set 6-4.

The former world No. 1 showed his class in the third set by quickly securing a break that put him ahead 3-0. Popyrin recovered the break in the 5th game, but Nole immediately broke back to regain the lead. The crowd's intervention was crucial at this point, as both players encouraged the fans after each point.

Djokovic began to hint at a comeback after taking the set convincingly 6-2, but this did not intimidate Popyrin, who maintained his concentration throughout the match. Djokovic faltered on his second serve, and Popyrin took advantage to secure a break, putting him in a great position to close out the match.

Despite the Serbian having several break opportunities in his favor, he could not reduce the lead. In impeccable form, Popyrin closed the match 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, proving that his Masters 1000 title a few weeks ago was no fluke.

It was a nightmare for Nole when Popyrin secured his second break and went up 5-2 with serve in his favor. Djokovic managed to recover a break and then held his serve one last time, but the Australian didn’t give him any chances towards the end and closed out the win 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.