Djokovic collapses in Cincinnati heat, suffers shock defeat

Novak Djokovic’s Cincinnati Open campaign ended in a second-round loss to Thiago Tirante on Saturday, with the 39-year-old struggling badly in extreme heat and humidity. Djokovic won the first set 6-2 but lost the next two 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 after vomiting on court and collapsing to his hands and knees. He needed medical attention from a doctor and physiotherapist during the match. The Serbian later said a health condition that has bothered him for years is aggravated by humid conditions.

The defeat came days after Djokovic told reporters his body felt better after Wimbledon than after any Grand Slam in the past two years. He had said he was healthy and wanted to play Cincinnati to gain match sharpness before the US Open, which starts on 23 August. The loss ends his streak of reaching at least the round of 32 in Cincinnati since 2005.