Mariano Navone has already produced the biggest win of his career at this year’s US Open. The challenge now for the Argentine is making sure his tournament does not become remembered for just one night. Navone returns to the court Wednesday to face Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in the second round, three days after stunning Novak Djokovic in a five-set thriller inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 25-year-old Argentine defeated the 24-time Grand Slam champion 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, handing Djokovic his first opening-round loss at the US Open and only his third first-round defeat at a Grand Slam. Navone had fallen behind two sets to one and then a break in the fourth before the match swung dramatically. Djokovic began struggling physically, but Navone still had to keep his composure against a player who has built a career out of finding ways back into matches.
Instead of getting distracted by what was happening across the net, Navone kept attacking. That approach eventually turned what looked like a respectable performance against one of the greatest players in tennis history into the biggest upset of the opening round.
For Navone, the victory was particularly remarkable because hard courts are still relatively new territory. The Argentine grew up playing almost entirely on clay and said he did not begin playing regularly on hard courts until around 2021 or 2022. Yet he is now into the second round in New York after beating one of the most successful hard-court players the sport has ever seen.
The Djokovic victory also continues what has quietly become an important season for Navone. Currently ranked No. 49, he won his first ATP Tour title in Bucharest in April and has gradually become more comfortable away from his preferred clay courts. His next opponent provides another interesting test.
Berrettini leads their career series 2-1, but Navone won their most recent meeting just a month ago at the Masters 1000 tournament in Montreal. Navone defeated the Italian 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3 on the Canadian hard courts, saving 11 of 12 break points along the way. At the time, it was only his second hard-court victory against a Top 50 opponent.
That result should give Navone some confidence Wednesday. Berrettini reached the second round by defeating Stan Wawrinka in straight sets, 7-6(4), 7-6(3), 6-0, in what became the final Grand Slam match of Wawrinka’s career. Berrettini remains dangerous because of his powerful serve and forehand, particularly on a quick New York hard court. Navone, however, has already shown this summer that he can absorb that power and find ways to make the Italian play additional balls.
The bigger question may be mental. Beating Djokovic on Arthur Ashe Stadium can become the defining moment of a player’s season. Navone now has to put that night behind him quickly enough to prepare for another opponent who presents a completely different challenge.
For Argentina, his run also gives the country another player to follow during the first week in New York. Navone arrived at the US Open as a respected clay-court player still trying to establish himself on faster surfaces. One match changed that conversation. Now he gets the opportunity to prove the Djokovic upset was the beginning of his US Open rather than the end of the story.
