2nd July, 2016
Novak Djokovic’s 30 match unbeaten run ended today at Wimbledon.
The World number one who has in his possession the four grand slam championships was beaten in the third round by 37th ranked American Sam Querrey, who had shocked the defending champion when he led him 2 games to love on Friday, before the rains stopped proceedings.
Djokovic was expected to come stronger into the game today and salvage his reputation. But it was not to be as the American overcame Djokovic’s rally in the third set to clinch the fourth set on tie break and clinch a sensational victory over the Serb, wrapping up the two day match, 7-6 6-1 3-6 7-6.
Djokovic was full of praise for the American after the match as he also hinted that he may be ill.
“Congratulations to Sam. He played a terrific match. He serves very well. I think that part of his game was brutal today. He made a lot of free points with the first serve. He just overpowered me.
“I managed to win four Grand Slams in a row ‑ two different seasons, though. I want to try to focus on that rather than on failure. I had my chances maybe in the fourth set, serving for the set. In the tie-break, I was leading, just wasn’t feeling the ball as well as I wished. But that’s sport.”
Asked whether he was 100 healthy facing Querrey, Djokovic said: “Not really. But you know, it’s not the place and time to talk about it. Again, the opponent was playing on a very high level and he deserved to win.”
He however ruled himself out of the Davis Cup quarter-final tie between Serbia and Great Britain in two weeks time.
Querrey who did the unexpected on court today said: “It’s incredible, especially here at Wimbledon, the biggest tournament in the world. I’m so ecstatic right now, so happy. I played the break points really well. I was able to come up with a big serve when I needed it and just there in the tie-break I got a couple of errors and that was it.
“I was ready for that [Djokovic’s strong start this morning]. You saw what happened in the first four games today. He is arguably one of the best ever. You knew he was mentally tough and that he was going to come back. Taking it one round at a time, not even sure who I play next. Just be happy with this and look forward to the next round a little bit.”