Novak Djokovic's pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title came to an abrupt and emotional end on the opening day of the US Open, as the 39-year-old Serbian fell to Argentine qualifier Mariano Navone in a gruelling five-set encounter.
The world No 49 claimed a stunning 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1 victory in what proved to be Djokovic's longest first-round match in any major championship throughout his career. The defeat marks a shock early exit for the veteran competitor, who had arrived at Flushing Meadows with genuine hopes of adding to his Grand Slam haul.
Djokovic's exit comes in the wake of Jannik Sinner's withdrawal from the tournament due to a right knee injury, which had appeared to open the door for the Serbian star and other top contenders to make a serious push for the title. The absence of the world No 1 had shifted the complexion of the men's draw considerably.
The opening set went to a tiebreak, with Navone edging it 7-5 before Djokovic fought back to level the match by taking the second set 7-5. However, momentum shifted decisively in the Argentine's favour as he claimed the third set 6-4, leaving the match finely poised heading into the fourth.
Djokovic showed glimpses of his championship pedigree by winning the fourth set 6-2, forcing a decider. Yet Navone proved too strong in the final set, racing to a 6-1 victory to seal one of the tournament's biggest opening-round upsets.
The loss represents a significant setback for Djokovic as he continues his bid to extend his Grand Slam legacy. At 39 years old, opportunities to chase historic records are becoming increasingly precious, and this first-round departure will sting considerably.
The US Open continues live on Sky Sports from August 30, with coverage available across multiple platforms. Fans can stream tennis with no contract on NOW and the Sky Sports App, whilst the Laver Cup will also be shown live from The O2 in London from 25-27 September on Sky Sports.
