Second consecutive big upset in US Open 2024, after Alcaraz, Djokovic also out of the tournament
US Open 2024: World number 74 player Botic van de Zandschulp defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the second round on Friday. At the same time, Novak Djokovic, who has won 24 Grand Slams, had to face defeat in the third round of the tournament on Saturday.
It has been two big upsets on succession days in the US Open. In the second round of men's singles, world number 74 Botic van de Zandschulp stunned former champion and third seed Spanish player Carlos Alcaraz on Friday. Meanwhile, defending champion Serbia's Novak Djokovic-the victor of 24 Grand Slams- was defeated in the third round of the tournament on Saturday. In this, Djokovic was defeated by 28th seed Australian Alexei Popyrin, 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.
Serbian star Djokovic, seeking a record 25th major title and 100th career title, will go without a Grand Slam win for the first time since 2017. This is also the first season since 2002 when one of the Big Three-Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal-not win a major.
However, Djokovic had made eight comebacks after trailing by two sets in Grand Slams, but this time he was unable to make one in the four-set match against Popyrin. This is a career-biggest win for 25-year-old Popyrin and the first time in his career he has gotten past the fourth round of a Grand Slam. The defeat came under the exit of champion 2022 Carlos Alcaraz. It is the first time since 1973 that the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds have both been ousted before the fourth round.
Popyrin said after the win that I think finally luck favored me for the third time this year. To be honest, we had some matches in the Australian Open and Wimbledon. I had chances in those matches, but I did not take advantage of them. This match was a bit different. When I had chances, I took advantage of them and played good tennis.
