The Sunday News
Novak Djokovic is out of Wimbledon after a shock defeat by American Sam Querrey — ending the world number one’s hopes of a calendar-year Grand Slam.
Querrey, seeded 28th, completed a 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 3-6 7-6 (7-5) third-round win after rain had suspended play on Saturday evening.
It was the Serb’s first loss at a major since the 2015 French Open final.
Djokovic had hoped to win his third straight Wimbledon title and secure the third leg of a calendar Slam.
The 29-year-old has already won the Australian and French Opens this year, and was also trying to become only the second man to win five successive major titles.
“It’s incredible, especially to do it here at Wimbledon,” said 28-year-old Querrey after ending one of the most dominant runs in tennis history.
“I’m so ecstatic, so happy. I played the break points well and every time he had a break point I was able to come up with a big serve.
“He came out and got the first four games, fortunately for me we had another rain delay and I got to regroup. I’m just taking it one round at a time, I’m not even sure who I’m playing next.”
The 6ft 6in Querrey has a huge serve, and grass-court pedigree as a former Queen’s Club champion, but there was no reason to think he might be the man to finally derail Djokovic.
Even when the world number 41 headed off with a two-set lead on Friday evening, having played superbly, there were few at the All England Club confidently backing him to finish the job. — BBC Sport
