Upset of the Tournament: Novak Djokovic’s quest for a 25th Grand Slam title was abruptly halted in the third round of the US Open. The defending champion was shockingly defeated by Alexei Popyrin, marking the first time since 2017 that Djokovic has finished a year without a major title.
A Year Without a Major: The defeat also means that for the first time since 2002, none of the “Big Three” (Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer) have won a Grand Slam title. This unexpected turn of events has created a wide-open field for other players to seize their opportunity.
American Hopes Rise: Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz are among the American players who have advanced to the round of 16. Tiafoe defeated Ben Shelton in a thrilling five-set match, while Fritz easily dispatched Francisco Comesana. Their success has renewed hope for an American men’s champion at the US Open after a 21-year drought.
Sabalenka Survives Scare: Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed in the women’s draw, narrowly escaped elimination in her third-round match. She rallied from a set down to defeat Clara Burel and remain in contention for the title.
