Well, that was certainly a US Open match to remember! Stefanos Tsitsipas’s campaign ended dramatically with an upset loss and a heated post-match exchange over a controversial serve. You won’t believe what was said at the net. Find out all the fiery details!

The US Open witnessed a truly electrifying upset on Day 5 as Germany’s unseeded Daniel Altmaier conquered the higher-ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas in a grueling five-set thriller, marking another significant Grand Slam upset in Altmaier’s career. This victory sent shockwaves through the tennis world, highlighting Altmaier’s formidable grit and challenging Tsitsipas’s already faltering season.

Altmaier, known for his marathon matches, once again demonstrated incredible resilience, having already endured over nine hours across ten sets in the opening two rounds. Despite Tsitsipas holding a match point late in the deciding set, the German defied expectations with fearless shot-making, ultimately surging through the final games to secure a hard-fought 6-7, 6-1, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7 triumph. His ability to save multiple break points in the fifth set underscored his mental fortitude.

The tension on court was palpable, not just between the players but also involving the crowd and Tsitsipas’s camp. Chair umpire James Keothavong had to intervene multiple times, admonishing unruly sections of the audience. A rare coaching violation was also issued against Tsitsipas’s father, Apostolos, for delivering verbal instructions from the far side of the court, an act still prohibited despite the broader legalization of on-court coaching in 2022.

Adding to the drama was a contentious moment in the fourth set involving an underarm serve by Altmaier. While entirely legal within the rules of tennis, this tactical choice often sparks debate among players and fans. The unexpected serve became a focal point of post-match discussions, exacerbating the already high emotions following Tsitsipas’s defeat.

The culmination of the intense match was a heated exchange at the net, where a frustrated Stefanos Tsitsipas confronted Daniel Altmaier. Tsitsipas reportedly questioned Altmaier’s use of the underarm serve, making a thinly veiled reference to an earlier incident where he had aimed a forehand at the German’s body. Altmaier, maintaining his composure, simply shook his head and walked away, leaving Tsitsipas to stew in his apparent displeasure and drawing boos from sections of the crowd.

This early exit marks a troubling pattern for Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has now failed to advance past the second round of a Grand Slam in six consecutive majors since the 2024 French Open. His season has been plagued by inconsistency, with a win-loss record that has seen him tumble out of the top 20 for the first time in years. The mounting pressure on the former French Open finalist is evident, and these repeated disappointments raise significant questions about his current form and mental approach to the big stages.

For Altmaier, however, this US Open victory serves as further validation of his capability to produce stunning upsets in gruelling matches, enhancing his reputation as a Grand Slam giant-killer. His reward is a challenging third-round encounter against 13th seed Alex de Minaur, with the main concern being his physical recovery after such a punishing start. The underarm serve controversy has undoubtedly added another layer to the narrative of this thrilling tennis upset.

The incident at the net, coupled with the Daniel Altmaier win and Stefanos Tsitsipas’s struggles, highlights a critical juncture in the Greek star’s career. While his talent remains undeniable, his ability to manage adversity and maintain composure under pressure is increasingly being scrutinized. The tennis world watches keenly to see if Tsitsipas can regain his championship-contending form or if these dramatic early exits become his new norm, leaving fans and analysts pondering his future trajectory.