Australia’s Alexei Popyrin has pulled off a huge upset at the US Open by defeating world number two and defending champion Novak Djokovic in the third round.
Popyrin stole the momentum by winning the first two sets, and despite a fightback in the third set from the four-time champion, Popyrin won the final set to win the match 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4.
It is the first time Djokovic has been eliminated before the fourth round of the US Open in 20 years, with another Australian – Lleyton Hewitt – beating him then.
After an even start to the match, the world number 28 was able to earn a crucial break-point, and was able to use the momentum to power himself to a 6-4 first set win.
Djokovic took a 2-1 lead in the second set, before the momentum swung back towards Popyrin when he was able to break Djokovic once again to make it 3-2 in the second set.
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Popyrin was able to hold off a fightback from Djokovic as well as a tweak to his ankle to win the second set 6-4, putting himself in firm control of the tie.
Mistakes plagued Djokovic in the second, with four double faults and 14 unforced errors to Popyrin’s nine.
Djokovic didn’t go down without a fight, managing to secure a break-point early in the third set and raced out to win the first three games of the third set.
The pair then traded break-points as unforced errors began to creep into Popyrin’s game, as his serves began to lack the same impact they had earlier in the match.
Djokovic was in his groove in the third set, reopening a three game lead and putting a grain of doubt in the back of Popyrin’s mind as the Serbian pulled off some brilliant shots to stay in the tie; he would ultimately win the third set 6-2 as Popyrin coughed up 18 unforced errors.
The players couldn’t be separated to begin the fourth set as each won their own service games, with the heat beginning to have an impact on the players.
In a thrilling fifth game, Popyrin managed to break Djokovic after a mammoth game – with Popyrin executing a fantastic forehand – and he held serve in the game after to take a two game lead in the fourth set, with two aces helping him on his way.
The strain began to show on the world number two with four doubles faults in the sixth game, and it allowed Popyrin to win another break-point and put himself on the cusp of victory.
Djokovic refused to concede defeat, winning an important break to keep himself in the match, and managed to hold serve despite a fierce fight from Popyrin.
The 25-year-old Australian still had the chance to serve for a famous win, and two aces brought him to match point, which he was then able to win after an overhit by Djokovic.
It was Popyrin’s first ever win over a top-five ranked player, and it sends him to the fourth round for the first time, setting up a match against American Frances Tiafoe.
