Djokovic falls in US Open first round, earliest Grand Slam exit in 20 years
An ailing Novak Djokovic vomited on court and struggled with late-match cramps in a five-set defeat to Mariano Navone.
Novak Djokovic suffered his earliest Grand Slam exit in 20 years, losing to Mariano Navone in the first round of the US Open on Sunday. The 48th-ranked Argentine won 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a grueling five-set victory that ended Djokovic's streak of 78 straight first-round wins at Grand Slams, dating back to his 2006 Australian Open loss.
Djokovic vomited on court and battled late-match cramps, but appeared to have taken control when he broke Navone's serve in the fourth set. However, Navone rallied to win the next five games, including breaking Djokovic twice to force a decisive fifth set. Djokovic received a medical timeout, but Navone continued to dominate, never dropping a point on his serve and finishing with a perfect 5-0 record in the set.
The exhausted Djokovic was unable to mount a comeback, ultimately succumbing to Navone's relentless pressure. Ecstatic Navone, who achieved his first Grand Slam first-round victory and dream come true performance, expressed his elation, saying it was a dream come true and thanking the incredible court and biggest stage.
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