– Novak Djokovic loses to Alexei Popyrin in four sets in the US Open third round, failing to reach the fourth round for the first time in 16 years.
– Djokovic lacked energy and made unforced errors, resulting in his first year without a Grand Slam title since 2017.
– This is the first time since 1973 that the second and third seeds have been ousted before the fourth round in men’s singles at the US Open.
– Popyrin, 25, clinches the biggest win of his career and will face Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round.
– Djokovic made a comeback in the third set but Popyrin’s strong play and Djokovic’s serving let him down in the fourth set.
– The men’s singles draw is now wide open with Djokovic and Alcaraz’s exits. Jannik Sinner has a chance to win his maiden Grand Slam title.