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New York: Novak Djokovic lost 6-4, 6-4, 2-6 6-4 to Alexei Poplin in the third round of the US Open on Friday, with the Serb missing out on a 25th Grand Slam title.
Defending champion Djokovic, who fought so hard to win Olympic gold earlier this month, looked sluggish in front of the energetic Poplin, who won the biggest win of his career and reached the last 16 of a major tennis tournament for the first time.
Djokovic had five break chances in the first set but failed to capitalize, while Poplin broke serve at the first break opportunity to lead 5-4 and win the first set.
In the second game, Djokovic’s forehand volley went wide, allowing Poplin to break again and take a 3-2 lead. He dominated the match with perfect serve and volleys to take the second set.
Second seed Djokovic showed some life in the third set, breaking Poplin with a forehand that he couldn’t handle and taking the set to get back into the match.
But the comeback didn’t last long as Poplin let out a huge roar as he broke with a ferocious forehand winner to lead 3-2 in the fourth game. Djokovic completed the comeback when he hit a forehand out of bounds on match point.
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