Djokovic Stunned in US Open First Round; Williams Falls in Late-Night Thriller

Novak Djokovic experienced his earliest Grand Slam exit in two decades, falling in the first round of the US Open to Mariano Navone. The 39-year-old Serbian star battled severe illness throughout the grueling four-hour and 36-minute match, repeatedly vomiting and suffering from cramps on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court. The emotional defeat saw Djokovic in tears as he was overcome by his physical struggles, ultimately losing to Navone with a final score of 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. This marks the first time since 2006 that Djokovic has been eliminated in the opening round of a major tournament, raising questions about his current physical condition.

In another significant early-round match, Venus Williams was defeated by Sofia Kenin in a contest that set a record for the latest start to a US Open match, beginning at 12:13 a.m. and concluding at 2:01 a.m. Kenin secured the victory with a 6-2, 7-6 (6) scoreline. Williams, a two-time US Open champion, had multiple set points in the second set but was unable to force a decider. This loss marks Williams' sixth consecutive defeat at the US Open and extends her overall singles losing streak to 14 matches, fueling speculation about the future of her illustrious career.