The Novak Djokovic fans present at the Rod Laver Arena were left in a state of disappointment after the tennis star from Serbia was ruled out of the Australian open after losing to Uzbekistan’s wild card contender Denis Istomin by 7-6 (8), 5-7, 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4.
The opening game went for 15 minutes and the six-time champion Djokovic saved six break points. In the second set, he appeared to hyperextend his left leg in the third game, and spent much of the following break stretching it over a chair.
Finally, in the fifth game, Istomin made the much-awaited break for himself and then held service for the rest of the way in the marathon 4 hour, 48-minute match.
However, Djokovic saved two sets points after serving a double-fault in the 10th game of that set
But Djokovic broke in the following game to lead 6-5, then held his service with four consecutive points to take the set. Djokovic also managed to clinch the third set when he successfully challenged a line call.
Istomin had a set point in the 10th game of the fourth set, then went ahead 5-1 in the tiebreaker before slamming down an ace to send it to a fifth-set decider.
It was the first time for No. 117 ranked Istomin who defeated a top 10player at a grand slam tournament. After the win, Istomin said,”This is the biggest win for me. Now, I can feel that I could play with these guys and can be with them on the same level.”
Denis the Menace!
World No.117 #Istomin stuns 6-time champ #Djokovic 7-6(8) 5-7 2-6 7-6(5) 6-4 in the second round.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/KtWJ2EnAD8
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2017
