Associated Press<\/p>\n
MASON, Ohio (AP) \u2014 Novak Djokovic’s<\/a> stay at the Cincinnati Open was a short one.<\/p>\n The 24-time major champion fell to Thiago Agustin Tirante<\/a> 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday in a match that took 2 hours, 44 minutes in hot and humid conditions.<\/p>\n A 25-year-old from Argentina, Tirante is ranked No. 50 in the world. The 39-year-old Djokovic \u2014 a three-time Cincinnati Open champion and No. 5 in the rankings \u2014 was playing for the first time since his loss to top-ranked Jannik Sinner<\/a> in the semifinals at Wimbledon.<\/p>\n Up next for Djokovic is the U.S. Open<\/a>, which starts Aug. 30.<\/p>\n Djokovic appeared to struggle physically in the heat and had his 10-match winning streak in Cincinnati snapped. He won the title in 2020 and 2023.<\/p>\n Djokovic saved 13 of the 15 break points he faced. Tirante broke Djokovic’s serve in the ninth game of the final set and then served it out.<\/p>\n \u201cI think this is the best win of my career,\u201d Tirante said. \u201cI think I really did a good job inside the court. I managed very well the nerves of playing against a legend like Novak.\u201d<\/p>\n Eala and Pegula win in women’s draw<\/p>\n On the women’s side, Alexandra Eala<\/a> of the Philippines continued her run of strong play with a victory over Elena-Gabriela Ruse<\/a>, who lost the first set and stopped playing in the second with an ankle injury. Eala \u2014 who is No. 20 in the rankings \u2014 won her first WTA<\/a> singles title in Washington earlier this month and has won eight of her last nine matches.<\/p>\n