Djokovic falls in Cincinnati heat in first match since Wimbledon

Thiago Agustin Tirante rallied past Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-4 6-4 at the Cincinnati Open on Saturday, as ​the Serbian struggled in the heat and required ‌a medical timeout in a disappointing U.S. Open tune-up.

Playing his first match since his Wimbledon semi-final defeat by Jannik Sinner, Djokovic ​swept through the opening set of the second-round ​match before the stifling humidity began to affect ⁠him early in the second.

The 39-year-old dropped to his ​knees during an 18-minute third game that featured nine ​deuces and 24 points. He received treatment to help cool him down after holding serve.

Djokovic offered little resistance on return for the ​rest of the set, seemingly focused on reaching the ​decider, and emerged from the locker room for the third in ‌a ⁠change of clothes, looking sharper.

But with the pair level at 4-4, Djokovic made a string of uncharacteristic errors, ending with a volley into the net that gave Tirante ​the decisive ​break.

Sinner stands between Djokovic and record 25th major crown at French Open

The 50th-ranked Argentine ⁠served out the match to secure the biggest win of his career and set ​up a third-round meeting with Spain’s Martin ​Landaluce.

“I’m ⁠thinking about my family and my friends who are in Argentina right now,” he said.

“They are in Argentina, but ⁠they are ​in my heart as well.”

Djokovic ​will look to regroup before the U.S. Open, where he will seek ​a record-extending 25th Grand Slam singles title.