Two-time defending champion Novak Djokovic was sent crashing out of Wimbledon by big-serving Sam Querrey on Saturday, shattering his dreams of securing the first calendar Grand Slam in 47 years.
The world number one, bidding for a fourth Wimbledon title and 13th major, suffered his earliest loss at a Slam since the 2009 French Open.
The 7-6 (8/6), 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5) third round defeat also ended Djokovic’s Open era record run of 30 successive wins at the majors and his streak of having reached 28 consecutive Grand Slam quarter-finals.
“Sam played a great match. His game was brutal and I was overpowered today,” said Djokovic who added that he “wasn’t 100% healthy”.
“But this is not the place or time to talk about it.”
It was only a second win in 10 meetings for American Querrey, the world number 41, against Djokovic and it was constructed on an epic serving performance over two days after the tie had been suspended with him two sets to the good on Friday.
The 28-year-old sent down 31 aces — 15 in the fourth set alone — and saved 14 of 17 break points while unleashing 56 winners.
His reward is a last-16 clash with 34-year-old Frenchman Nicolas Mahut.
“It’s incredible, especially to do it here at Wimbledon. I’m so ecstatic right now and so happy,” said Querrey.
“I played the break points really well. Got a couple of loose errors and that was it. Today he came out and got the first four games.
“He’s so amazing, he’s on the way to being possibly the best ever so you know he’s mentally tough and going to come back.”
Rain had saved 29-year-old Djokovic on Friday when the match was halted with him trailing by two sets after being comprehensively outplayed.
He had been here before. Last year, he was two sets to love down to Kevin Anderson in the fourth round before staging a thrilling comeback.
