In a dramatic second round encounter at the Cincinnati Open, world number five Novak Djokovic experienced a shocking defeat against Argentina's Thiago Tirante, losing 2-6 6-4 6-4. The 39-year-old Serbian superstar, who has lifted the trophy at this tournament three times in his career, found himself struggling severely with intense heat and oppressive humidity throughout the grueling contest. Returning to competitive action for the first time since his July semi-final loss to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon, the 24-time Grand Slam champion was unable to maintain his momentum after a promising start.
Severe Heat and On-Court Medical Timeout
The match began favorably for Djokovic, who secured the opening set 6-2 with relative ease. However, conditions took a drastic toll during the second set. Following a demanding third game that lasted 18 minutes, the Serbian champion began to toil visibly under the scorching atmosphere. Djokovic dropped onto his hands and knees on the court and appeared to vomit twice as the physical strain escalated. Recognizing his distress, a physio and a doctor both came onto the court to provide urgent medical assistance, leading to a medical timeout. Once the second set concluded with Tirante leveling the match 6-4, both players retreated to their respective dressing rooms to recover from the punishing environment.
Match Turning Point and Third-Set Drama
When the players resumed play for the decisive third set, the world number 50 stayed composed under pressure. The crucial breakthrough arrived in the ninth game of the set, where Djokovic dropped his serve, granting the South American player a vital lead. Tirante seized the opportunity and safely served out the remainder of the match to complete a memorable 2-6 6-4 6-4 victory over the top-seeded veteran.
Historic Record and Career-Defining Win
This early exit marks an unprecedented moment in Djokovic's long career in Ohio. Since making his debut at the tournament in 2005, the Serbian player had never previously failed to reach at least the last 32 stage. For the 50th-ranked Tirante, defeating a legend of the sport represents the biggest milestone of his professional journey. Reflecting on his monumental achievement, the Argentine shared his joy, stating that it was the best win of his career and noting how challenging it was to handle the intense pressure and nerves associated with facing an icon like Djokovic on such a major stage.
