By Jon Pierik
Exuberant Australian star Alexei Popyrin says two defeats to Novak Djokovic this year gave him the confidence to claim the greatest win of his career and finally down the tennis legend in a dramatic third-round clash at the US Open, ending the Serbian’s New York quest for a record 25th grand slam title.
Popyrin, who whipped the 24,000 capacity crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium into a frenzy with his emotional outbursts after winning points, prevailed 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 on a day defending-champion Djokovic lamented playing “some of the worst tennis I ever played”.
It was third time lucky for the 28th-seeded Popyrin, who had been beaten by Djokovic at the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year.
“Third time lucky, I guess. Obviously, we had some battles at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, I had my chances in those matches but didn’t take them,” Popyrin said, having blasted a whopping 50 winners past his opponent.
“Today was something that I kind of thought I could do. My two experiences against him earlier this year in [the] Australian Open and Wimbledon kind of gave me the confidence to go out there tonight and believe that I could win and actually do it and believe it. So when I did it, it kind of felt that kind of proved me right.”
The magnitude of the result meant it is the first time since 2006 that the Serbian great and longest-serving world No.1 in tennis history (Djokovic was ranked world No.2 heading into this tournament) has not made at least the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.
Man on a mission: Alexei Popyrin.Credit: AP
Fittingly, Lleyton Hewitt was on hand in the Popyrin courtside box to watch this clash, for it was he who had knocked Djokovic, then 19, out of the 2006 tournament.
“It’s unbelievable because I have been in the third round for about 15 times in my career, but I haven’t been able to get into the fourth round. To do it against the greatest of all time to get into the fourth round is unbelievable,” Popyrin said.
Having booked a berth in the fourth round of a grand slam for the first time, Popyrin now faces good friend and 2022 semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe, with the American crowd expected to be fully behind the Washington DC native.
“He’s a very tricky player. Probably has one of the best hands on tour, comes into the net a lot, likes to mix it up. That’s going to be the tough part,” Popyrin said.
It’s been a rousing month for Popyrin, who had stormed into the world’s top 30 for the first time after his Montreal Masters triumph a fortnight ago.
Under pressure: Novak Djokovic was made to work by Alexei Popyrin.Credit: Getty Images
“I’ve had the capability of winning a big match, but not being able to back it up,” Popyrin said.
“This week and Montreal I was able to do that. Hopefully, I can continue it this week because this is probably the biggest win of my career so far ranking-wise.”
The fifth and seventh games of the fourth set were classics, with young bull Popyrin, 25, wanting to prove this was his paddock, while Djokovic fought for the ground that has made him a 24-time grand slam singles winner.
In the fifth game, Popyrin broke serve to take a 3-2 lead with a stunning off-forehand, highlighting his incredible racquet speed. Djokovic had saved three break points, but his vulnerability was shown when he double-faulted for the first time in the set. There had also been a Popyrin stretch forehand winner across court which brought the crowd to its feet.
The seventh game was won by Popyrin after his second break point, Djokovic having earlier produced the fastest serve of the evening – an ace – as the contest passed three hours.
Djokovic, as all champions do, refused to yield, and immediately claimed one break back, but only after Popyrin had forced a deuce after falling behind 0-40.
Serving for the match at 5-4, Popyrin did not drop a point in what became the biggest game of his career. He bellowed an emotion-releasing yell at the crowd after shaking Djokovic’s hand.
Paris Olympics gold medallist Djokovic has now finished the year without winning a grand slam title for the first time since 2017.
Until this contest, he had not dropped a set through this tournament. That changed in the humid conditions, when Popyrin, having saved five break points on an earlier service game, took a 5-4 lead in the first set, screaming and pumping his fist at the fans, before holding serve himself to take the set.
“I played some of the worst tennis I ever played. My serving was by far the worst ever. If you play on a quick surface like this without a serve, you can’t win. It was just an awful match for me,” Djokovic said.
“I spent a lot of energy winning the gold, and I did arrive to New York just not feeling fresh mentally and physically. But because it’s the US Open, I gave it a shot and I tried my best. I didn’t have any physical issues. I just felt out of gas, and you could see that with the way I played.”
Popyrin broke in the fifth game of the second set, easing fears he had hurt his ankle. Djokovic has had issues with his serving through this tournament, with Popyrin pouncing.
“Look, he’s just beaten me, the defending champion here,” Djokovic said.
“So, he deserves credit for that and respect. If he serves well, plays well, he can beat anybody. [Carlos] Alcaraz is out. I’m out, you know, some big upsets. The draw is opening up.”
It will be the first time since 2002 that none of tennis’ “Big Three” – Djokovic, Rafa Nadal and the retired Roger Federer – have picked up a major in a season, the latest sign of a changing of the guard in the men’s game.
“Sitting from a larger perspective, of course I have to be content,” Djokovic said.
“It’s hard to see the big perspective right now, you know. You’re just angry and upset that you lost and the way you played and that’s it.”
With Reuters
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