Novak Djokovic suffers shock exit from Wimbledon

 

Saturday saw Novak Djokovic eliminated from Wimbledon in his third round tie against Sam Querrey, to record the biggest upset of the tournament so far. Querrey managed to see off his opponent within four sets, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5) to record an impressive win for the American.

Querrey could have arguably completed his victory within straight sets, but due to bad light on Friday evening, play was suspended for the night with Querrey two sets to love up. They were scheduled to come back out to finish the match Saturday afternoon. Saturday saw Djokovic race to 4-0 lead, as the inevitable fightback was on. When the number one seed took the third set at 6-3, there was belief that the Serbian could come back to win in five sets. However, that was not the case, as Querrey stood tall and served well to book his place in the fourth round after a narrow fourth set victory.

Going into Wimbledon Djokovic held an annual record of 44-3 and looked in fine form after his triumph over Britain’s, Andy Murray in the final of the French open. However, his preparation for Wimbledon was not great, as he lost to David Goffin (6-3, 7-5) in the boodles exhibition at Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire. Djokovic managed to come through his first two matches of Wimbledon without losing a set, although not playing at the level that is expected of him. He relied on two tie breaks from his two previous knock out matches, eliminating James Ward and Adrian Mannarino in the process.

Djokovic holds an impressive head to head record against Querrey, 8-1. Including wins for the Serbian during the 2008 Australian open and the 2014 US open. This encounter was the first time that they met on grass, with 28 year-old Querrey relying on his outstanding, big serving attributes. Querrey will now play Nicolas Mahut for a place in this year’s quarter-final.

This upset completely opens up Murray’s opposite side of the draw. Roger Federer and Milos Raonic now pose as the favourites to make it to the final of this year’s championships. The Canadian and Swiss stars are due to meet in the semi-finals if they can both come through their respective fourth round and quarter-final ties.

Novak Djokovic’s early exit at SW19 will certainly be welcomed by the Murray camp. This should motivate Murray and fuel his self-belief that this is once again his year to lift the shield. Having played extremely well in the first week of Wimbledon, he now faces his toughest opponent thus far within the tournament, when the Scot welcomes Nick Kyrgios to centre stage in what is going to be an enthralling encounter between two great players of the modern game.