Djokovic falls in Cincinnati heat in first match since Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic's return to the court after Wimbledon ended in a surprising defeat at the Cincinnati Open, where he fell to Argentina's Thiago Agustin Tirante 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. The Serbian star struggled significantly with the oppressive heat and humidity, a condition that led to a medical timeout during the second set.

Djokovic, playing his first match since his semi-final exit at Wimbledon, initially dominated, sweeping the first set. However, the challenging weather conditions began to take their toll early in the second. A particularly grueling third game, lasting 18 minutes with nine deuces, saw Djokovic drop to his knees and require assistance to cool down.

Despite a change of clothes and a seemingly sharper appearance in the third set, Djokovic made uncharacteristic errors at a crucial moment. With the score tied at 4-4, a netted volley gifted Tirante the decisive break. The 50th-ranked Argentine then served out the match, securing the most significant victory of his career and advancing to face Spain's Martin Landaluce.

The loss is a concerning sign for Djokovic as he prepares for the U.S. Open, where he aims to extend his record for Grand Slam singles titles.

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I'm thinking about my family and my friends who are in Argentina right now. They are in Argentina, but they are in my heart as well.