Carlos Alcaraz loses to Botik van de Zandsholp in a huge upset at the US Open
August 31, 2024 2024-08-31 6:04Carlos Alcaraz loses to Botik van de Zandsholp in a huge upset at the US Open
Carlos Alcaraz loses to Botik van de Zandsholp in a huge upset at the US Open
Introduction: Carlos Alcaraz
NEW YORK – Novak Djokovic credits
his impressive start at the US Open with
a 2023 title defense as the main

reason for his surprise third-round finish.
“Honestly, I played the worst tennis
I’ve ever played,” Djokovic said as Friday turned
to Saturday shortly after midnight.
“The service is by far the worst in the world.”
Djokovic, who committed 14 double
faults a total of 32 times in the tournament,
lost to Alexey Popirin of Australia 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
at Flushing Meadows. The night after the
dismissal of Carlos Alcaraz, the 2022 champion.
It was Djokovic’s first loss at a major
tournament since the 2017 Australian Open, where he lost in the second round to Denis Istomin. It is also the third time in the Open era that two of the US Open’s top three men’s players have been eliminated before the fourth round. Other examples were 1973 and 2000.
He beat Djokovic five times, including
He beat Djokovic five times, including when he led 3-2 in the fourth game. The match was epic and lasted more than 10 minutes. Popirin had four break chances and Popirin took advantage of his last chance with an inside-out forehand to end the 22-shot exchange. He also stole Djokovic’s next serve to make it 5:2.
“It was a terrible match for me,” second seed Djokovic said. I didn’t do my best. I feel good physically and of course I’m motivated because it’s a Grand Slam, but it’s not good to be in a situation where you can’t give your best, it breaks down and I think we have to accept, that tournaments like this happen. fall”
When Papirin served for the first time in the match, he hesitated, allowing Djokovic to break. On the second, Djokovic hit a long forehand and held the ball on the baseline to seal the deal with Papier.
Popyrin is now trying to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinal by defeating 20th seed Francis Tiafoe 4:6, 7:5, 6:7(5), 6:4, 6:3. 13 Ben Sheldon in his two American games.
“If he serves well, plays well, he can beat anyone,” Djokovic said of Babirin. “Listen, there’s no Alcaraz.” I went out. Some big surprises. The draw begins.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.