Australia’s shooting star Alexei Popyrin has shattered Novak Djokovic’s latest quest for tennis immortality with a third-round US Open triumph in New York.
The background: Popyrin sensationally snapped Djokovic’s 18-year grand slam winning streak over Australians with a 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4 victory under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday night (local time).
Djokovic had denied Popyrin in four sets at both Wimbledon and the Australian Open this year.
The key quote: “Third time lucky, I guess,” Popyrin said.
“It’s unbelievable because I’ve been in the third round about 15 times but I haven’t been able to get past to the fourth round in my career.
“And to be able to do it against the greatest of all time, to get in to the fourth round is unbelievable.”
Novak Djokovic shakes hands with Alexei Popyrin after the Australian’s third round match win at the US Open. Source: AAP / Julia Nikhinson/AP
What else to know: As he was at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon, Djokovic had been desperate to break Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 singles majors with a fifth title at Flushing Meadows.
Fittingly, Australian champion and Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt was in Popyrin’s courtside box for the biggest win of his career.
Not since Hewitt in the US Open third round in 2006, when Djokovic was only 19, had an Australian conquered the longest-serving world number one at a grand slam.
What happens next: Instead, 25-year-old Popyrin can himself dream big after sending the world No.2 packing to storm into the last 16 of a slam for the first time.
Djokovic’s next chance to surpass Court’s grand slam tally will come at Melbourne Park in January at the Australian Open.
