Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam bid is over.
American Sam Querrey pulled off a stunning upset over the world No. 1 in Wimbledon’s third round.
In a match that took several twists and turns, featured two tiebreaks and stretched over two days, Querrey, the tournament’s 28th seed, held his nerve long enough to come out on top 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(5).
“[Querrey] played a terrific match,” Djokovic said in his post-match news conference. “He served great, as he usually does … He just overpowered me.”
When the match began Friday, Djokovic looked far from the player who has dominated the pro tennis circuit of late. Querrey edged him out in a first-set tiebreak, and then steamrolled to a 6-1 win in the following set.
Down two sets to love, Djokovic got a reprieve as the rain came falling down on Court No. 1, halting the match for the night.
With a night to rest and regroup, Djokovic looked refreshed when he came out to the court Saturday, earning a 6-3 win in the third set.
The fourth set was a tense affair, with each side desperately trying to earn a break. Djokovic finally broke Querrey in the ninth game, but the 28-year-old from San Francisco broke right back and the set went to a tiebreak. Querrey’s stellar serve, which helped him to 31 aces, prevailed in the fourth-set breaker and the defending champion was sent home.
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Upset of the tournament. It's a thumbs up from Djokovic as Querrey ends the Serbian's calendar Grand Slam dream clips.wimbledon.com/g/v/BDmxLwbfgq8
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“It’s incredible, especially here at Wimbledon, the biggest tournament in the world,” Querrey said on the court after the match. “I’m so ecstatic.”
Djokovic was hoping to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four major titles in the same calendar year. The loss also ended Djokovic’s 30-match winning streak at Slam events.
Querrey is the first American to beat a world No. 1 at a Grand Slam since Andre Agassi defeated Lleyton Hewitt in the semifinals of the 2002 U.S. Open.
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