2 weeks Ago By Jake Santa Maria
Alexei Popyrin has taken the biggest scalp of his tennis career to continue his red-hot form after taking down the GOAT Novak Djokovic in a four set thriller in the third round of the US Open. No Australian has defeated Djokovic at a grand slam since Lleyton Hewitt’s triumph at the 2006 US Open. Having given up the third set 6-2, Popryin found a break early in the fourth but was down 40-15 as the Serbian looked to get back on serve.
However, the Aussie dug deep reeling off three straight points to consolidate the break and move to within two games of an upset. He broke again in what was nearly a 10-minute game as the Serbian champ looked desperately to cling on, saving one break point before having the advantage but ultimately losing the game as his forehand just went ride as Popryin converted the second chance. The game was on Popryin’s racket but it was here perhaps the nerves got to the Australian as he found himself down 0-40 after belting several forehands beyond the baseline.
But as he did throughout the match Popryin seemed to excel when his back was against the wall finding an ace and a lovely drops shot to tie the game at 40-40 but another unforced error gave a break back to the Joker. Djokoich looked to race through a hold but again from 40-0 Popryin fought back to deuce but another forehand went just long to give the Serbian the hold. Popryin once again had the chance to win the game on his racket and two aces helped put him up 40-0.
There were more nerves as his first serve went into the net but a strong second serve had Popryin in control of the rally before a backhand for Djokovic went long to give the 25-year-old the biggest win of his career..
