World number one Novak Djokovic, who was considered for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title was sent packing in the third round by Australian Alexei Popyrin at the US Open. The 37-year-old from Serbia began this match coming off Olympic gold winning in Paris but found it challenging, as it took him four sets 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. That will be the first scenario since 2017 when Djokovic does not win any major title.
Looking back at the event Djokovic said; “I lost a lot of energy in winning the gold and got to New York being mentally and physically drained. ” Though Djokovic had no physical problem he noted that he was exhausted beyond necessary levels which affected him.
This year is also special as it will be the first year without any Grand Slam title from the three players; Djokovic, Rafa, or Federer since 2002. Novak Djokovic’s early knockout plus the close elimination of other top players such as Carlos Alcaraz has made the way for other players to come and shine.
Elsewhere, Frances Tiafoe still has dreams of making the US Open his first major title and making his nation proud by becoming the first man from America to achieve the feat since Andy Roddick in 2003. Tiafoe came back for the victory over Ben Shelton another fellow American in the five-set match where he triumphed 4-6, 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3. Taylor Fritz also progressed through after dispatching Francisco Comesana 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 and in doing so, became the first American man since Andre Agassi in 2003 to reach the last 16 in all four grand slams of a calendar year.
On the women’s side of the court, defending her title was Gauff, who was almost sent packing by Elina Svitolina before winning 3-6, 6-3 and 6-3. Gauff attributed a mental recharge to the break that brought her back into the match after she had lost the initiative in the first set.
Another seed that struggled through a poor start was Aryna Sabalenka in a match that finished late at night, which quickly dispatched Ekaterina Alexandrova 2-6, 6-1, 6-2. Alexander Zverev played in a dramatic match against Tomas Martin Etcheverry which ended almost at 2:35 a. m. and this match was the second latest of US Open history.
At the same time, the once-ranked No. 2 Paula Badosa proved the fighting spirit by defeating Elena-Gabriela Ruse 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (8). Fluency: Badosa who at a point contemplated quitting the sport due to injuries is now piecing form, having won her first title in the last two years.
Nevertheless, Victoria Azarenka, a finalist in the US Open three times, got off on the unseeded player Wang Yafan, 4-6, 6-3, 1-6. In other results, Chinese Olympic winner Qinwen Zheng cruised past Julie Niemeier 6-2 6-1 and Shang Juncheng lost a two-set lead to eighth seed Casper Ruud. Ruud, who was a finalist in the previous year also gives credit for his 6-7(1), 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, and 6-1 victory to his nervous endurance, stressing that in this level of the game, is all about the mental strength.
