Novak Djokovic don suffer im first defeat since Wimbledon for Cincinnati Open, as Thiago Agustin Tirante beat am for three sets. The match na 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, and e take two hours and 45 minutes.
Djokovic, wey dey inactive on ATP Tour since im loss to Jannik Sinner for grass-court Grand Slam for July 10, don win first set 6-2. But after that, e begin dey struggle with heat and humidity for Ohio. At one point, e even vomit into towel, and dem need to check im blood pressure.
Tirante, wey be world number 50, don call dis win as best for im career. “This is the best win of my career. I really did a good job inside the court. I managed very well the nerves of playing against a legend like Novak. Now I feel relieved,” e talk.
Djokovic, wey be 24-time major champion, don explain say im get medical condition wey dey get worse with heat and humidity. “It’s a health condition that I have and that has been bothering me over the last few years. It causes me a lot of problems, especially when it’s humid and hot,” e talk. E also add say nerves make am worse.
When dem ask am if e go return to Cincinnati, Djokovic talk say: “Of course I hope to return, but unfortunately it seems more likely that I won’t. We’ll see what the future holds for us.”
For other matches, Alexander Zverev don rally to beat Cameron Norrie 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. Arthur Fery don advance with hard-fought 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 win over James Duckworth. And Katie Boulter don see im campaign end for second round with 6-3, 6-3 defeat to Linda Noskova.
