US Open 2026: Mariano Navone stuns Djokovic in first-round upset
Synopsis
Mariano Navone, a 25-year-old Argentine clay-court specialist with a 12-29 hard-court record, just ended Novak Djokovic's perfect first-round record at the US Open across 20 appearances — in five sets. It is arguably the biggest upset of the 2026 Grand Slam season and the defining moment of Navone's young career.
Key Takeaways
Mariano Navone defeated fourth-seed Novak Djokovic in five sets in round 1 of the 2026 US Open on 31 August .
It was Djokovic's first opening-round loss at Flushing Meadows in 20 appearances , across which he had reached 10 finals .
Navone, 25 , is primarily a clay-court player with a hard-court record of just 12-29 .
He won his first ATP Tour title in April 2026 at the Bucharest Open .
Navone has previously beaten Auger-Aliassime (No.
5) and Casper Ruud (No.
17) in notable upsets.
He holds a career-high ranking of No.
29 , achieved after winning his sixth Challenger title in Cagliari in June 2024 .
Mariano Navone produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 US Open on 31 August, defeating fourth-seed Novak Djokovic in five sets in the first round at Flushing Meadows, New York. The victory hands the 25-year-old Argentine his most significant win to date and marks the first time Djokovic has lost in the opening round of the US Open in his 20 appearances at the tournament.
A Historic Upset at Flushing Meadows
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion who has reached 10 US Open finals, had never previously stumbled in round one at Flushing Meadows. Navone, primarily a clay-court specialist with a career win-loss record of 44-32 on clay compared to just 12-29 on hard courts, was not widely expected to topple the Serbian great on a surface that historically favours the latter.
The match stretched to five sets, with Navone holding his nerve to complete what is being described as a landmark moment in Argentine tennis. 'It's amazing. The way we played, five sets against the GOAT,' Navone said, as quoted by ATP. 'I'm very happy. I don't know, what can I say?'
Who Is Mariano Navone?
Navone claimed his first ATP Tour title in April 2026 at the Bucharest Open, defeating Daniel Merida Aguilar in the final after saving two match points in the semifinal against Botic van de Zandschulp. Before that breakthrough, he had already signalled his potential with a career-high ranking of No. 29, achieved after winning his sixth Challenger title in Cagliari in June 2024.
He was the first man in the Open Era to be seeded on his Grand Slam main draw debut, entering the French Open 2024 as the No. 31 seed, where he defeated former world No. 10 Carreno Busta in the first round. At the Australian Open 2025, he reached the second round, beating Jack Draper of England — who would go on to become world No. 4 by June of that year.
Wins Over Top-10 Players
The Djokovic scalp is not Navone's only notable result against elite opposition. He had previously defeated No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime in the round of 64 at the BNP Paribas Arena, advancing to his maiden ATP Masters 1000 third round. He also beat No. 17 Casper Ruud — a three-time Geneva Open champion — in the semifinal of that same tournament.
Navone's Reaction
'It's unbelievable. It means a lot to me,' Navone said of facing Djokovic — whom he considers one of his idols — for the first time. 'It's a dream come true, I mean seriously, 100 per cent. Now I have to recover. I think it's almost 12 o'clock, so we have to go to sleep.'
With the upset sealed, Navone advances to the second round of the US Open, where he will look to build on the most extraordinary night of his career so far.
Point of View
The question is no longer whether Djokovic is vulnerable, but how deep that vulnerability runs heading into the later rounds of majors.
NationPress
31 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mariano Navone?
Mariano Navone is a 25-year-old Argentine professional tennis player who won his first ATP Tour title at the 2026 Bucharest Open. He reached a career-high ranking of No. 29 and is known primarily as a clay-court specialist, though his upset of Djokovic at the 2026 US Open came on hard courts.
Has Novak Djokovic ever lost in the first round of the US Open before?
No — the 2026 loss to Navone was Djokovic's first opening-round defeat at Flushing Meadows across 20 appearances at the tournament, in which he had previously reached 10 finals.
What was the score of the Navone vs Djokovic match?
The match went to five sets, according to reports. A full set-by-set breakdown was not included in the available match details, but Navone prevailed over Djokovic in a contest that lasted until close to midnight local time.
What big wins has Navone had before the US Open 2026?
Navone has beaten No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime at a Masters 1000 event, No. 17 Casper Ruud in the Geneva Open semifinal, and former world No. 10 Carreno Busta at the French Open 2024. He also defeated Jack Draper at the Australian Open 2025.
What does Navone's US Open 2026 win mean for his career?
The victory over a 24-time Grand Slam champion in the first round of a Major is the biggest result of Navone's career and confirms his ability to compete at the highest level beyond his preferred clay surface. He advances to the second round and will look to build on the momentum.
