Novak Djokovic, who started competing from the second round, sensationally lost 6:2, 4:6, 4:6 to Argentine representative Thiago Agustin Tirante (ATP-65).
The 39-year-old tennis player from Belgrade won a three-set drama against Carlos Alcaraz in the Cincinnati final three years ago, but that was Novak’s last visit to Ohio until now.
Playing for the first time since the lost Wimbledon semifinal against Jannik Sinner, the Serb started the match confidently, but very quickly the heat of Cincinnati and especially the high humidity drained all the veteran’s strength.
In the second set, Djokovic, barely able to stand, called the medics onto the court, but the medical timeout did not significantly improve the situation. In the third set, the opponent played patiently and eventually capitalized on Novak’s mistakes.
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“I think this is the most resounding victory of my career. I did a really great job moving forward and attacking. I managed my emotions well because I was playing against a true legend Novak. Now I feel relieved, I didn’t convert many break points, but I believed in myself and my team,” Tirante said.
The 25-year-old Argentine, having a breakthrough season, has already won his fourth career victory in five matches played against Top 10 opponents. Previously, he defeated tennis players such as Andrey Rublev, Ben Shelton, and last week in Montreal – Taylor Fritz.
In the next round, the Argentine tennis player will face Martin Landaluce (ATP-64) from Spain.
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