Novak Djokovic thwarts Grand Slam record bid in shock defeat to Alexei Popyrin | US Open Tennis 2024

Shooting star Alexei Popyrin shattered Novak Djokovic’s latest quest for tennis immortality with a hoodoo-busting third-round US Open triumph in New York. Popyrin sensationally snapped Djokovic’s 18-year Grand Slam winning streak against the Australians with a seismic 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 victory under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday night.

As he was at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon, Djokovic was once again keen to break Margaret Court’s record of 24 singles majors with a fifth title at Flushing Meadows. Instead, the 25-year-old Popyrin can dream big himself after dispatching the ageing world No.2 to reach the last 16 of a Slam for the first time.

While Djokovic was in the grip of his service yips, the ice-cold Sydneysider was rock-solid in his throws, fending off seven of eight break points during a tension-ridden fourth and ultimately deciding set.

Djokovic lost his serve five times and also made 14 double faults, bringing his tournament total to an astonishing 32 in sets of eight and a bit. His compatriot Laslo Djere also retired in the second round.

Fittingly, Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt stood in Popyrin’s box for the biggest victory of the former French Open junior champion’s career. Not since Hewitt in the third round of the 2006 US Open, when Djokovic was just 19, had an Australian captured the longest-reigning world No. 1 title in tennis history.

Since then, Djokovic – who completed the so-called golden slam with elusive Olympic glory last month – has won 15 consecutive majors over Aussies, including four times taking revenge on Hewitt. Djokovic has also beaten Jordan Thompson, Alex de Minaur, Nick Kyrgios, John Millman, Carsten Ball and Thanasi Kokkinakis, and Bernard Tomic twice each.

Djokovic had already defeated Popyrin in four sets at both Wimbledon and the Australian Open this year. But “not tonight,” Popyrin could have said this time as the two shook hands at the net on tennis’ biggest stage, as more than 23,000 fans digested the monumental surprise.

“Third time’s the charm, I think,” Popyrin said. “To be honest, we had some battles at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. I had my chances to get into those matches, but I didn’t take them.

“This match, I was able to take my chance when it came and play some good tennis. It’s incredible because I’ve been to the third round about 15 times, but I’ve never been able to get to the fourth round in my career. And to be able to do it against the greatest of all time, to get to the fourth round is incredible.”

Popyrin entered the Open as a seed for the first time, having also become the first Australian to win an ATP 1000 crown since Hewitt in 2003. But few could have predicted the clinical way in which the Montreal Masters champion took Djokovic apart.

In a huge turning point, Popyrin held serve from 0-40 in the sixth game of the opening set before breaking Djokovic at 4-4 and taking the set to love. The plucky underdog shook off the disappointment of not taking another break in the first game of the second set when Djokovic hit three double faults.

Popyrin waited patiently for another chance and seized it with a flashing forehand pass, making it 5-3 and taking a convincing lead of two sets to even.

Djokovic had fought back from two sets down eight times in his peerless career and threatened to do so again after winning the third set in championship style. But there was no ninth life for tennis superstar Novak as Popyrin refused to blink under the intense pressure and conceded five double faults from Djokovic in one deciding game.

As a consolation prize, Djokovic’s next chance to surpass Court’s grand slam total will be at Melbourne Park in January with the Australian. But the 10-time champion will then be four months away from turning 38.