TWO-TIME DEFENDING champion Novak Djokovic was sent crashing out of Wimbledon by big-serving Sam Querrey on Saturday, shattering his hopes of securing the first calendar Grand Slam in 47 years.
The world number one, bidding for a fourth Wimbledon title and 13th major, suffered his earliest loss at a Slam since the 2009 French Open.
The 7-6 (8/6), 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5) defeat, played out after an overnight suspension and two further lengthy rain interruptions, also ended Djokovic’s Open era record run of 30 successive wins at the majors and his streak of having reached 28 consecutive Grand Slam quarter-finals.
American 28th seed Querrey, the world number 41, goes on to face 34-year-old Frenchman Nicolas Mahut for a place in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Andy Murray remains on course to capitalise on Djokovic’s exit as the world number two eased into the last 16 with victory over Australian John Millman.
Murray has found it almost impossible to get the better of Djokovic over the last three years and had lost the Australian and French Open finals to the world number one this year.
But the 29-year-old, beaten in 13 of his last 15 meetings with Djokovic, no longer has to worry about ending that frustrating streak after the Serb was condemned to his earliest Wimbledon defeat for eight years by American 28th seed Sam Querrey.
It was a further boost for Murray, who had already benefited from the early exit of fourth seed Stan Wawrinka, his scheduled semi-final opponent.
Djokovic’s humiliating loss was taking place on Court One at the same time as Murray was maintaining his serene progress just yards away under the Centre Court roof.
Asked about Djokovic’s exit, Murray refused to admit it was a help to his title ambitions, but conceded he was surprised to see the Serb bow out.
“Right now everyone expects Novak to win every match. He almost found a way to get back into that one today,” Murray said.
“What he’s done in the last 18 months, I don’t think we’ll see again for a long time. The level of consistency he’s had is amazing, but it’s impossible to win every match.
“I need to reach the final for that result to have any bearing on my performance. I’ve got some tough opponents in my half of the draw, including the next round.”
Murray, who became the first British man to win Wimbledon for 77 years in 2013, will play Australian 15th seed Nick Kyrgios or Spain’s Feliciano Lopez for a place in the quarter-finals.
The Scot has now reached the fourth round in his last 22 consecutive Grand Slams as he aims to become the first British man to win multiple Wimbledon titles since Fred Perry.
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Jockitch out!! G’wan ya good thing
Hope Murray wins it now!!
Hope the legend that is Federer wins it. Could be his best chance of a last major win
This really opens it up for Federer now, an 18th slam is his to lose.
He still wont have it easy, he will have to go through Johnson in the next round, Cilic/Nishikori in the QFs, Raonic in the semis and Murray in the final thats not easy for a player who has been struggling with injuries this year.
Djokovic will have to launch an “enquery” into this loss ☺☺
Oh Dear…
Has to be Federer. Coulden’t look at that grumpy old bollix Murray or his mother either …