Mariano Navone Stuns Novak Djokovic in US Open First Round

Mariano Navone defeated Novak Djokovic in five sets in the first round of the US Open, ending the Serbian's run of 19 consecutive opening-round victories at Flushing Meadows. BBC Sport reported that the Argentine world number 49 won 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Watch the highlights:

The result marked Djokovic's first first-round defeat at the US Open and his first opening-round loss at any Grand Slam tournament since 2006. The 39-year-old, seeded fourth in New York, had entered the match as a four-time US Open champion and the winner of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.

Djokovic began strongly and broke Navone's serve to lead 2-0, but he later struggled in the humid conditions. According to BBC Sport, he called for a doctor after the ninth game of the opening set and received tablets. He appeared physically distressed between points, and at one stage during the match vomited into a towel bin.

Navone held his concentration and took the first-set tie-break after one hour and 13 minutes. Djokovic recovered as conditions became cooler under the roof, breaking late in the second set before serving it out to level the match. He then secured the decisive break at 4-4 in the third set and held serve to move two sets to one ahead.

The contest shifted sharply in the fourth set. Navone won it 6-2 and then controlled the decider 6-1 as Djokovic's physical problems persisted. Djokovic became emotional during the fifth set and was in tears, but he completed the match and congratulated his opponent at the net.

For the 25-year-old Navone, the victory was a major result against one of the sport's most decorated players. He had never advanced beyond the second round of the US Open before this tournament, while Djokovic's defeat brought an unusually early end to his campaign in New York.