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.

“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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