Mon Sep 02 03:55:39 UTC 2024: Novak Djokovic slumped to his earliest exit at the US Open in 18 years on Friday as a four-set, third round defeat to Alexei Popyrin sparked more questions over his long term future in the sport. The only consolation for Djokovic in a frustrating year was winning Olympic gold in Paris earlier in August. If he were to keep playing into 2025 and secure an 11th Australian Open crown in January, he would be the oldest male Grand Slam champion of the modern era. On Friday, Djokovic paid a heavy price for failing to convert five break points in the sixth game of the opening set against Popyrin, 12 years his junior. The Australian had no such trouble in the ninth game converting a single break point before confidently serving it out to take the first set. Popyrin had lost to Djokovic at the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year but arrived in New York buoyed by capturing his first Masters title in Montreal. That hardcourt confidence shone through as he broke for 3-2 in the second set, backing it up for 4-2 and pocketing the set with a confident serve and volley. However, Djokovic called on all his powers of recovery to cut the deficit with two breaks of his own in the third set. Popyrin raced double break ahead before Djokovic clung on to retrieve one break. But Popyrin was not to be denied as he sealed a famous victory for him and marked potentially the point of no return for Djokovic.

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