Australian Open champion Djokovic exits early
WIMBLEDON, England - Novak Djokovic was upset in straight sets by Marat Safin in the second round Wednesday, ending the Serb's chances of testing his theory about Roger Federer's vulnerability at Wimbledon.
The 75th-ranked Safin won 6-4, 7-6 (3), 6-2 on Centre Court. It was a stunning loss for the third-ranked Djokovic, who came to the All England Club confident after beating top-ranked Federer in the semifinals at this year's Australian Open en route to his first Grand Slam tournament title.
Top-ranked Federer only had a minor hiccup - dropping serve once, the first time since Roland Garros - before getting past Robin Soderling 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (3) to extend his streak on grass to 61 matches. The Swiss star looked anything but vulnerable as he continued his bid for a sixth straight Wimbledon title.
"I think I played well. Moving well, feeling good," Federer said. "I got my first break (against) on grass this year, still, not too concerning. Honestly, I thought the performance was excellent."
Women's No. 1 Ana Ivanovic, another Serb, struggled but won. The French Open champion saved two match points - including one that bounced off the net chord for a winner - in the second set before overcoming 29-year-old Frenchwoman Nathalie Dechy 6-7 (2), 7-6 (3), 10-8.
Two-time champion Serena Williams had less trouble, advancing 6-4, 6-4 over Urszula Radwanska on Court 2, called the "graveyard of champions" for its history of upsets.
Djokovic came up against one of the toughest second-round opponents he could have drawn.
Former No. 1 Safin has won two Grand Slam titles. One came when he upset Federer in an Australian Open semifinal en route to the 2005 title. Safin beat Djokovic in the first round of that tournament - their only previous meeting.
"It was certainly a very bad day for me," the 21-year-old Djokovic said. "I didn't do anything that I was supposed to - he was very solid in all segments."
Djokovic had said Federer was vulnerable after his recent lopsided French Open loss to No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal.
The hype surrounding those comments set up the possibility of an enticing semifinal here. Now, it will be Safin who will try to go down that path.
But not before offering some thoughts on what led to his victory over Djokovic.
"He didn't impress me with his game today. I could read his serve. I could return," the 28-year-old Russian said. "I could stay with him from the baseline, and that's it."
Safin said he came in under the radar, and that Djokovic had all the pressure.
"He's the one who has to win matches. For me, nobody expects anything," said Safin, admitting that he had not dared look beyond the second round. "Now, I'll have to check - the way I'm playing now, I could go far."