Djokovic loses Cincinnati Open opener to Tirante 2-6, 6-4, 6-4

Novak Djokovic was eliminated from the Cincinnati Open at the second-round stage after Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante defeated him 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. The loss came in Djokovic’s first match since his defeat by Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semi-finals in July.

The 39-year-old Serb, ranked fifth in the world, struggled physically in the Ohio heat and humidity. He went down on his hands and knees during the match and took a medical timeout in the middle of the second set before continuing.

Djokovic later said he has been managing a health condition for the past two years. He explained that it creates particular difficulties in hot and humid conditions, while the pressure and nerves of competition can make the symptoms worse.

Tirante, ranked 50th in the world, recovered after dropping the opening set. Djokovic took the first set 6-2, but the Argentine levelled the match by winning the second 6-4 and completed the upset with another 6-4 set.

The result ended Djokovic’s return to competition at the first hurdle. He had entered the Cincinnati event as a three-time champion and as one of the tournament’s leading names, but Tirante’s victory became the most significant result of the Argentine’s campaign so far.

Djokovic said he hoped to return to Cincinnati in the future, although he acknowledged that taking part again next year appeared unlikely at this stage. The defeat leaves his next competitive appearance uncertain after his early exit and the physical problems he experienced in Ohio.