Popyrin stuns defending champion Djokovic at US Open
Alexei Popyrin knocked Novak Djokovic out of the US Open, beating the Serb 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
Alexei Popyrin, US Open 2024 – © Antoine Couvercelle / Panoramic
No 28 seed Alexei Popyrin succeeded against No 2 seed Novak Djokovic in his fourth attempt as he defeated the Serb 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in the third round of the 2024 US Open on Friday. In the process, Popyrin handed Djokovic his first third round exit from the New York Major since 2006.
Both Popyrin and Djokovic showed discipline in the early stages of the match as they remained on serve until the Aussie converted a break point to love in the ninth game before securing the set in 10th. Notably, he saved five break points on his serve earlier in the sixth game.
Popyrin pressed Djokovic as soon as the second set began, denying him four game points in an otherwise hold of serve. He stepped up to break the defending champion in the fifth game and then served out the set to double his advantage, keeping his serve unchallenged throughout.
Djokovic finally breaks
Djokovic managed to register his first break point conversion of the match in the second game of the third set. Popyrin got back on serve in the fifth game but the Serb produced relentless tennis, not allowing the No 28 seed another hold in the set.
For a brief while, the defending champion reminded the New York crowd of his ability to so often bounce back from a two-set deficit but his energy level dropped after a few games of the fourth set.
Popyrin showcased unreal defence on return in the fifth game to create multiple break points, that his opponent saved putting his experience to use. The Aussie’s moment finally came on the fourth break point as he sent a sizzling cross court forehand down Djokovic’s side to seal the crucial break.
The current Canadian Open champ consolidated the break and further denied Djokovic a hold to get himself serving for the match. The Serb, however, delayed Aussie’s glory by breaking back and then holding his own to stay in the match.
Popyrin eventually rose to the occasion and held to love to record his first-ever win over the tennis legend.
Statistically, the duo were not far apart as they registered identical average of 58 percent in the first serve landings. Popyrin won 74 percent (55/74) of his first serve points to Djokovic’s 71 (54/76), whereas the latter marginally edged ahead with a conversion rate of 46 percent (25/54) on the second serve to the youngster’s 45 (24/53 ). Also, the veteran smashed a total of 16 aces against the Aussie’ 15.
The two, however, produced contrasting numbers in the double faults tally, with Djokovic faltering 14 times to six by Popyrin, who also bettered his opponent by hitting 50 winners, 10 more than his opponent.
The win assured Popyrin of his best Grand Slam result as he entered the fourth round for the first time.
“It’s unbelievable,” Alexei Popyrin said in his on-court interview. I’ve been in the third round about 15 times in my career but haven’t been able to get past to the fourth round. And to be able to do it against the greatest of all time is unbelievable. It’s a great feeling and hard work has paid off.”
He will fight No 20 seed Frances Tiafoe from the US for a place in the quarter-finals.
