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Mariano Navone eliminates Djokovic in the first round of the US Open

Argentinian Mariano Navone stunned by defeating Novak Djokovic in his US Open debut, marking a historic elimination for the Serbian.

31 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Mariano Navone eliminates Djokovic in the first round of the US Open — Archive photoPhoto: Kuberzog · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0

Mariano Navone, ranked number 49 in the ATP rankings, achieved a surprising victory over Novak Djokovic in the first round of the US Open. The match, which lasted nearly five hours, ended with a score of 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, and 6-1 in favor of the Argentine.

This defeat marks the first time Djokovic has been eliminated in the opening round of a Grand Slam since 2006. Despite his impressive track record, the Serbian displayed signs of illness during the match, suffering from vomiting and cold sweats, which affected his performance on the court.

At 39 years of age, Djokovic was unable to manage his physical issues, leading to a significant decline in his performance during crucial moments of the match. Thus, he exited the tournament after a lengthy battle that concluded near midnight in New York.

Navone, who has stated that this victory is a pivotal moment in his career, will advance to the next round, reinforcing his position as an emerging player on the professional circuit. Djokovic's elimination has surprised the tennis community, given his remarkable history in Grand Slam tournaments.

The match drew significant attention, considering the unique situation of the Serbian, regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. His early exit from the tournament has become a central topic of discussion among fans and tennis analysts.

In summary, the US Open has started with a major surprise and a remarkable performance from Navone, who has demonstrated he can compete at the highest level, at the expense of a Djokovic who will need to reconsider his physical condition for future challenges.

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