Novak Djokovic Stunned by Thiago Tirante at Cincinnati Open

Novak Djokovic suffered a shock second-round defeat at the 2026 Cincinnati Open, losing to Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante in three sets.

Tirante, ranked No. 50 in the world, produced the biggest victory of his career by coming from a set down to defeat the 24-time Grand Slam champion 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a match lasting two hours and 44 minutes.

Djokovic made a dominant start and comfortably took the opening set. However, the 39-year-old Serbian began struggling physically as the match progressed, with intense heat and humidity affecting his performance.

Djokovic received medical attention during the second set after appearing to struggle in the conditions. Despite fighting to stay in the match, he could not prevent Tirante from completing the comeback.

The defeat ended Djokovic’s 10-match winning streak in Cincinnati and came in his first competitive match since losing to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinals.

For Tirante, the victory represents a major breakthrough. The Argentine advanced to the third round, where he will face Spain’s Martin Landaluce.

Djokovic’s attention now turns toward the US Open, where he will attempt to win a record-extending 25th Grand Slam singles title. The Cincinnati defeat could also raise questions about his ability to handle the demanding conditions and schedule heading into the final major of the season.

The Serbian has also suggested that this could potentially be his final appearance at the Cincinnati tournament, adding another layer of significance to the unexpected early exit.