Popyrin upsets Djokovic to reach round 16

Alexei Popyrin defeated Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 using a masterful display of Big-Man Tennis, at the US Open on Friday night.

The victory came courtesy of fifty winners. With World No. 74 Botic van de Zandschulp’s straight-set victory over 2022 champion Carlos Alcaraz in the second round, it was the second startling upset in as many days at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“Third time lucky [this year] I guess,” Popyrin said. “Honestly, we had some battles at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. I had my chances in those matches, but didn’t take them. This match was a little different. I was able to take my chances when I had them and played some good tennis.”

“It’s unbelievable because I’ve been in the third round about 15 times in my career, but I haven’t been able to get past to the fourth round,” Popyrin said. “To be able to do it against the greatest of all time to get into the fourth round is unbelievable. It’s a great feeling and the hard work has paid off.”

Popyrin crushed Djokovic’s dreams of capturing a record-tying 25th Grand Slam men’s singles title and 100th career title with the greatest victory of his career.

Although Popyrin had forced Djokovic to four sets in the Australian Open and Wimbledon earlier in the year, the legend was 0-3 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings going into Friday night’s encounter.

Popyrin will now play in his debut US Open fourth-round tie against home favorite No. 20 Frances Tiafoe. The Lexus ATP Head2Head series will see the two of them meet for the first time. In a lengthy encounter earlier on Friday on Arthur Ashe, Tiafoe defeated compatriot and last year’s semifinalist No. 13 Ben Shelton 4-6, 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3.