Alexei Popyrin’s Stunning Victory over Novak Djokovic in Third Round Upset at US Open 2024
At the US open 2024, Alexei Popyrin stuns the 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic in the third round.
With a score of 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, Popyrin’s victory is historic in tennis history because it means that Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer will not have won a Grand Slam championship this year—a first since 2002.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion was eliminated in the third round, one night after Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out in the second round.
The reigning champion Novak Djokovic, who earlier this month captured a historic gold medal at the Paris Olympics, was shocked to lose to Australian Alexei Popyrin 4-6, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6 in the third round of the 2024 US Open. The day of Djokovic’s defeat, 2022 champion Carlos Alcaraz—who won both Wimbledon and Roland Garros this year—was taken aback by Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round of the Arthur Ashe Stadium tournament.
This was Djokovic’s first Slam defeat since he was taken out by wild card Denis Istomin in the second round of the 2017 Australian Open, and it was his first US Open defeat since 2006, when he had advanced to at least the fourth round in every tournament since then. Due to Djokovic’s defeat, there won’t be a member of the Big Three in the Round of 16 for the first time since the 2004 French Open.
With a career-high 14 double faults in the match, four of which gave Popyrin a double break at 5-2 in the fourth set, the Serb bears a great deal of responsibility for his loss. Despite Djokovic’s comeback, the Australian was unable to finish the match on his first attempt, but he did so two games later.
“I suppose it’s my third lucky year,” Popyrin remarked. To be honest, we had a few conflicts throughout Wimbledon and the Australian Open. In those matches, I had my opportunities, but I passed them up. This was not your typical match. I was able to play some excellent tennis and grab my chances when I had them.
“It’s incredible because in my career, I’ve probably made it to the third round fifteen times, but I’ve never made it to the fourth round,” Popyrin remarked. It’s incredible that you were able to get to the fourth round against the best player of all time. It is fantastic to know that all of the hard work has paid off.
Popyrin has had a wonderful summer. Earlier this month, he won the Cincinnati Open and earned his first Masters 1000 title. Later, he recorded the greatest victory of his career by smashing 50 wins. At the Australian Open and Wimbledon earlier this year, he did take Djokovic to four sets, but it wasn’t until Saturday that he triumphed over the 24-time Grand Slam champion for the first time in four meetings.
Djokovic’s hunt for a remarkable 25th major championship was prolonged with the defeat. Additionally, Djokovic didn’t win a single Grand Slam in a calendar year for the first time in seven years.
Popyrin, who is making his first appearance in the fourth round of the New York Open, will next face home favorite Frances Tiafoe. Tiafoe defeated fellow countryman and semifinalist No. 13 Ben Shelton last year 4-6, 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3 on Friday at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
