Popyrin loved a optimistic build-up to the US Open, claiming his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title in Montreal earlier this month.
The Sydney-born participant was brimming with confidence as he manoeuvred his method by means of the primary set, warding off 5 break factors earlier than placing at 4-4 and serving it out.
He seemed even higher within the second, steadily going about his work and successful 88% of factors on his first function Djokovic continued to falter.
The 24-time main winner lastly burst to life at the start of the third set, successful the primary three video games earlier than a blip allowed Popyrin to interrupt again.
However Djokovic was fast to reply and animatedly demanded extra noise from the energetic crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium as he restored his benefit and broke for a 3rd time to maintain his title defence alive.
Djokovic was aiming to win a fifth US Open that will have moved him previous Margaret Courtroom and take sole possession of the all-time report for essentially the most Grand Slam singles titles.
The pair continued to go toe-to-toe in set 4, however Popyrin landed Djokovic in serious trouble when he he efficiently transformed his fourth break level within the fifth recreation.
He held agency in his subsequent service recreation, too, saving two break factors earlier than a sequence of double faults and careless errors from the often scientific Djokovic moved the twenty eighth seed to the brink of a seismic victory.
With a double break behind him, Popyrin failed on his first try at serving out the match however he was extra profitable the second time round, touchdown three big serves earlier than Djokovic pushed the primary match level lengthy.
“It is unbelievable as a result of I have been within the third spherical about 15 instances in my profession however have not been capable of get to the fourth spherical,” Popyrin stated.
“To have the ability to do it towards the best of all time to get into the fourth spherical is unbelievable, it is an important feeling that the arduous work has paid off.”