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Victor Petkov
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Defending champion Novak Djokovic out of US Open
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The Olympic champion labeled his game as 'some of the worst tennis' he's ever played

Defending champion Novak Djokovic was stunned by Australia’s Alexei Popyrin in the third round of the US Open, marking the Serb’s earliest exit from the tournament in 18 years. Popyrin, the 28th seed, pulled off the biggest win of his career with a 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 victory, celebrating with his arms aloft as he sealed the upset.

Djokovic, 37, struggled throughout the match, serving a career-high 14 double faults in a Grand Slam match and committing 49 unforced errors. His defeat means he will end the year without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2017, and his quest for a record 25th major title continues.

“I have played some of the worst tennis I have ever played,” Djokovic admitted after the loss. “Honestly, the way I felt and the way I played from the beginning of this tournament, third round is a success.”

The defeat follows the surprising exit of Carlos Alcaraz, the French Open and Wimbledon champion, who was eliminated in the second round by unseeded Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp. Djokovic noted that his performance was impacted by the toll of winning Olympic gold earlier this month, which he described as his “biggest sporting achievement.”

“I tried my best, I didn’t have any physical issues. I just felt out of gas, and you could see that. From the first match, I just didn’t find myself on this court,” Djokovic explained. “Life moves on. I’ll try to recalibrate and look forward to what’s next.”

Popyrin, 25, advances to the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career and will face American Frances Tiafoe, who edged out fellow countryman Ben Shelton in a five-set thriller.