US Open: Novak Djokovic eliminated in the first round after a grueling 4-hour, 36-minute match.

Novak Djokovic suffered an unexpectedly early exit at the US Open. The Serbian, who was aiming for a 25th Grand Slam title, lost in the first round to Argentinian player Mariano Navone, after a grueling match lasting 4 hours and 36 minutes. The world number 39 defeated the former world number one in five sets (7-6 [7-5], 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1), in a particularly challenging encounter.

After winning the first set in a tie-break, Djokovic gradually regained control of the match, winning the second and third sets. However, the Serbian player then appeared to be hampered by fatigue and physical difficulties, in particularly hot and humid conditions in New York.

Navone seized the opportunity to completely turn the match around. The Argentinian dominated the final two sets and secured one of the most significant victories of his career. This defeat also ends Djokovic’s hopes of winning a fifth title at Flushing Meadows. Furthermore, it marks his earliest exit from a Grand Slam tournament since the 2006 Australian Open. This represents a major setback for the Serbian champion, whose quest for a 25th Grand Slam title will have to be postponed.