Drama Unfolds at U.S. Open: Upsets and Triumphs Galore

Novak Djokovic's pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam title ended at the U.S. Open as Alexei Popyrin defeated him in the third round. Coco Gauff advanced despite early struggles. Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe aim for American victories. Paul Badosa and Casper Ruud also showcased resilience in their matches.

Novak Djokovic's quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title ended at the U.S. Open on Friday as the defending champion was sent packing from the third round by Australian Alexei Popyrin. Despite his recent Olympic gold, the 37-year-old Serbian fell 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4, marking his first year without a major win since 2017.

Following Carlos Alcaraz's exit, this major shake-up opens the door for new hopefuls. American Frances Tiafoe persevered to keep his title dreams alive by defeating Ben Shelton in a grueling five-set match. Fellow American Taylor Fritz also made strides, becoming the first American man to reach the last 16 in all Grand Slams in a single year since 2003.

Coco Gauff overcame a scare to advance after a hard-fought victory against Elina Svitolina. Other notable performances include Paul Badosa, who battled past injury and self-doubt to triumph over Elena-Gabriela Ruse, and Casper Ruud, whose mental toughness helped him come back from two sets down to defeat Shang Juncheng.

(With inputs from agencies.)