Novak Djokovic OUT of Australian Open: World No 2 suffers shock defeat to Denis Istomin
NOVAK DJOKOVIC has been knocked out out of the Australian Open in the second round after losing 7-6, 5-7, 2-6, 7-6, 6-4 to Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin.
By
James Gray
James Gray
EPA
Novak Djokovic was stunned by Dennis Istomin
Novak Djokovic has not failed to reach the third round of a major championship since 2008 when he was beaten in straight sets by unseeded Marat Safin.
By contrast, Istomin has not reached the third round of a Grand Slam since 2012 and with a first-ever place in the fourth round at stake he will face Pablo Carreno Busta.
EPA
Denis Istomin celebrated a massive shock against Novak Djokovic
EPA
Novak Djokovic has not failed to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open since 2006
The tone of the match was set in the very first game when Djokovic saved six break points before eventually holding to win a 16-minute game.
Istomin put the pressure back on losing just one point in his opening service game and the first set went his way on a tie-break after 1 hour 28 minutes.
The match time in all was just short of five hours but with nearly two-and-a-half gone it was only one set all, Istomin crucially losing his serve at 5-5 in the second.
And it looked as though the Uzbek's chances of upsetting the world No 2 were over when, struggling with cramp, he lost his serve three times in a row and went 2-1 down.
However, the world No 117 recovered to force a fourth-set tie-break which he eventually won despite spurning three set points.
And the crucial moment of the fifth came when Istomin converted the second break point of the fifth game, before serving out to take a famous victory over the Serb.
"I feel for Novak," Istomin said afterwards with a smile.
"I was playing so good today."
Related articles
-
Heather Watson loses to Jennifer Brady in Australian Open second round
-
Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares fail to defend Australian Open title
Latest videos
WATCH: Fisherman shocked by THIS giant deadly monster hiding in the water… can YOU see it?
Statins and grapefruit WARNING: Mixing drugs and fruit could be DEADLY cocktail
Susanna Reid left infuriated as she angrily SLAMS online troll over ‘c**p’ abuse
Brussels weakening? EU chief hints that union could agree to May's immigration demands
People's Choice Awards 2017: Host Joel McHale MOCKS Brangelina amid divorce battle
People’s Choice Awards 2017: Blake Lively BEATS Meryl Streep in shock Best Actress win
UK READY FOR RUSSIAN SHOWDOWN: Tanks sent through Channel Tunnel to reach Europe's border
Farage rages at 'undemocratic' EU and says 'dangerous' bloc MUST be destroyed
'I will always love her' says girl, 18, about woman who kidnapped her as a baby
Women's cricket superstar Baroness Heyhoe Flint dead aged 77
Jamie Murray fails to defend Australian Open title: Winner Sam Querrey will now play Andy
Australian Open: Brit Heather Watson edged out by Jennifer Brady despite five match points
Australian Open: Brit Kyle Edmund crashes out in straight sets to Pablo Carreno Busta
Australian Open: Brit Johanna Konta picks off Naomi Osaka to reach third round
Dan Evans achieved the greatest win of his career… but wasn't even sponsored
Andy Murray gives update on extent of ankle injury picked up in second round win
Australian Open: Dan Evans hoping to put past demons behind him after shock win
Dan Evans knocks out Marin Cilic to spring massive Australian Open upset in epic four sets
Nick Kyrgios hits back at John McEnroe after crashing out of the Australian Open
Who will win the Australian Open 2017? Latest betting odds, updates, predictions
Andy Murray joins Dan Evans in Australian Open third round with easy Andrey Rublev win
Andy Murray suffers injury scare during Australian Open second round
Andrey Rublev reveals boxing past to hopefully deal Andy Murray surprise knockout blow
Stan Wawrinka booed after hitting Martin Klizan in groin during Australian Open clash
Naomi Broady loses to Daria Gavrilova in Australian Open opening round as first Brit exits
Australian Open: Ivo Karlovic and Horacio Zeballos battle out EPIC 42-game final set
Australian Open: Kyle Edmund breezes through first round in straight sets
Australian Open: Brit Johanna Konta glides through into round two
Australian Open: Roger Federer ecstatic to be back on the court and into second round
Australian Open: Andy Murray determined to hold onto No1 spot after first round win
Australian Open: Dan Evans joins Andy Murray in second round for first time
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Tumblr
RSS