New York (AP): Marin Cilic has finally dropped a set at the U.S. Open after winning 16 in a row.
The defending champion lost the first set against 56th-ranked Mikhail Kukushkin in the third round Friday. He hadn't dropped one since the fourth set of the fourth round last year against Gilles Simon.
Cilic won his final three matches of 2014 in straight sets on the way to his first major title then posted two more three-set victories to start the 2015 tournament.
Cilic, seeded ninth this year, netted an ill-advised drop shot on set point Friday, then smashed his racket on the court in disgust.
