On one of the most surprising days at Wimbledon ever, this may have been the most surprising.
Sergiy Stakhovsky, ranked 116th, knocked out seven-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer, 6-7, 7-6, 7-5, 7-6.
"It was clearly not what I was hoping for," said Federer.
It was the first time in 21 tries that Stakhovsky had ever beaten a top-10 player.
"It's always a disappointment losing any match around the world, and particularly here," Federer said. "I've had some great moments here, but also some tougher ones. Can't have 'em all. It was a tough loss today."
Stakhovsky called his win "magic," saying, "I couldn't play any better today."
At one point in the match ESPN flashed a graphic showing that Stakhovsky had 12 grass court wins while Federer had 13 grass court titles.
Federer, who had made 36 consecutive major quarterfinals, played poorly at times, shanking a handful of forehand volleys. The winner was masterful with his serve and volley game.
"I still have plans to play for many more years to come," Federer said when he was asked whether he felt this might be a crossroads in his career. "It's normal that after all of a sudden losing early after being in the quarters 36 times, people feel it's different. "
On several points, he got Federer in a position in which he couldn't return a shot or could only return it in a dangerous place.
"I'm still in disbelief," Stakhovsky said. "When you play Roger Federer at Wimbledon it's like you are playing two persons. First you play Roger Federer, then you play his ego, and on the Centre Court of Wimbledon, where he is historical. So that's like playing two against one."
Federer, calling the loss "clearly disappointing" said he would invoke "the 24-hour rule" where you "don't panic" and "come back stronger."
The day also saw Lleyton Hewitt and Maria Sharapova getting upset and it was a day of injuries and retirement.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Victoria Azarenka and John Isner among the seven players to retire or not start a match due to injuries.
In addition, Caroline Wozniacki lost in straight sets after injuring her ankle early in her match.
Source : http://www.usatoday.com
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