Novak Djokovic suffers first US Open opening-round exit

Novak Djokovic’s pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam title suffered another setback after he was eliminated in the opening round of the US Open. The defeat ended his perfect record in the first two rounds at Flushing Meadows and was his earliest Grand Slam exit since the 2006 Australian Open. Djokovic also remains on 95 US Open match wins, three short of Jimmy Connors’ record of 98, while his future participation in New York is now uncertain.

Mariano Navone, the 49th-ranked Argentine, defeated the fourth seed 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in 4 hours and 36 minutes. Djokovic was playing at the tournament for the 20th time, but struggled in the humid conditions beneath the closed roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium. He led 4-1 in the first set before Navone recovered, and although Djokovic turned the match around to lead by two sets to one, the contest then slipped away.

Djokovic began to suffer physically in the fourth set, including left-leg cramps, after earlier appearing short of breath and experiencing slight vomiting. Navone took control as his opponent’s movement deteriorated, winning eight consecutive games and 18 of the final 21 points. Djokovic finished with 70 unforced errors, while Navone secured the biggest victory of his career at the age of 25.