Djokovic eliminated from US Open 3rd round

WASHINGTON – The fifth day of the US Open delivered a major upset as No. 2 seed Novak Djokovic was eliminated in the third round by Australia's Alexei Popyrin.

Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, lost to the 25-year-old Popyrin 4-6, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6 on Friday, marking his earliest US Open exit since 2006.

"Congratulations to him and his team. He definitely played better and deserved to win today," said Djokovic, who made 14 double faults in the match, his most ever at a major.

"I have played some of the worst tennis I have ever played, honestly, serving by far the worst ever."

"I didn't have any physical issues. I just felt out of gas, and you could see that with the way I played. Just from the very beginning, from the first match, I just didn't find myself at all on this court," added the Serbian star. (PNA)