Djokovic's US Open run ended in stunning fashion Sunday night. The 39-year-old lost his first-round match to Mariano Navone 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a four-hour, 36-minute marathon. This marks the first time Djokovic has ever lost in the opening round at Flushing Meadows.
Navone, ranked 34th, pushed the Serbian legend through all five sets before breaking serve decisively in the final two frames. Djokovic won the second and third sets competitively, but Navone seized control when it mattered, running away with the fourth and fifth. The Argentine never let the veteran establish rhythm down the stretch.
At this stage of his career, Djokovic remains a threat at majors. But the toll of competing at 39 against hungry younger players showed on Sunday. He couldn't close out either of his set wins or find answers when Navone accelerated late. For a player accustomed to grinding past opponents in New York, this first-round exit stings differently.