Wimbledon SHOCK: Novak Djokovic crashes out at Sam Querrey's hands

Novak Djokovic is out of Wimbledon before the second week after Sam Querrey defied the odds and an overnight rain delay to cause a huge shock.

Wimbledon SHOCK: Novak Djokovic crashes out at Sam Querrey's hands

Novak Djokovic is out of Wimbledon before the second week after Sam Querrey defied the odds and an overnight rain delay to cause a huge shock.

World number one and defending champion Djokovic has been near enough unbeatable over the last two years but Querrey found a way on Court One.

After opening a two-set lead on Friday he was left to stew on how close he was to victory all night as the rain washed out the evening's play.

Djokovic returned to court as the heavy bookmakers' favourite in spite of the scoreline and backed that up as he won the third set 6-3.

But Querrey, who had only made the fourth round of a grand slam three times before this, found something special once more to take the fourth set and win 7-6 (8/6) 6-1 3-6 7-6 (7/5).

He held his nerve once more during that time, with rain having forced the players off again as he led 6-5 in the fourth set.

"I'm ecstatic, it's the biggest tournament in the world," Querrey said. "I played the break points really well, came up with a big serve, got a couple of losing errors in the tie-break."

On how he felt overnight, he added: "He came out and got the first four games, then we had another rain delay and I was able to regroup.

"He is on the way to being the greatest ever, so I knew he would be mentally tough. I am just going to be happy with this and look forward to the next round a bit."

The result will send shockwaves through the tournament.

When Djokovic returned to court on Saturday, it was still felt a formality that he would win, especially when he won the third set 6-3 either side of another rain delay.

That was discounting Querrey.

Both players had chances to steal a march at the start of the fourth, Djokovic spurning eight break points and Querrey five over the first six games, with the latter particularly rueful after a shocking forehand into the net on a second serve.

The chances continued to present themselves to Djokovic and as he reached his 12th break point he finally took one, putting a forehand away from a tired-looking Querrey who had to let it go.

Remarkably, though, Djokovic was broken as he served for the set. Querrey had already wasted his sixth chance but when the Serb netted a close-range volley, he was back on terms.

Querrey then held to 6-5, guaranteeing himself a tie-break to win it at least, when light drizzle forced the two men off, with Djokovic given valuable time to get his head together.

He could not be saved this time, though, and although he held to a breaker, he made unusual errors - including one final wide forehand - to crash out.

Djokovic leaves court after today's match. Picture: PA
Djokovic leaves court after today's match. Picture: PA

more courts articles

Football fan given banning order after mocking Munich air disaster Football fan given banning order after mocking Munich air disaster
Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van

More in this section

Champions League quarter-final second-legs, URC, RBC Heritage: your sport on TV this week Champions League quarter-final second-legs, URC, RBC Heritage: your sport on TV this week
Motorsport: Mackarel takes Willie Loughman spoils Motorsport: Mackarel takes Willie Loughman spoils
Ronnie O'Sullivan File Photo Ronnie O’Sullivan calls for World Snooker Championship to be moved from Crucible
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited