Wimbledon Men's Draw: Mens's number three seed Novak Djokovic is out of Wimbledon in the second round after a straight sets defeat to Russia's Marat Safin but there was no letting up from defending champion Roger Federer who beat Sweden's Johann Soderling in straight sets.
The win for Safin, a former world number one but unseeded this year, seemingly leaves the open for Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer to dominate the men's draw, after fourth-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko was ousted yesterday by German Benjamin Becker.
Djokovic never looked himself in the match on Centre Court but credit must go to Safin who produced some vintage tennis to win 6-4 7-6 6-2.
Djokovic was one of the favourites for the title after claiming his first grand slam at the Australian Open in January and reaching the semi-finals at the All England Club 12 months ago.
But the young Serbian looked completely out of sorts as Safin, the hugely talented but infamously-erratic Russian, powered to victory.
"For me to beat Djokovic on Centre Court, especially on this surface, is a great match," Safin said.
"I was still nervous because I have not won this type of match for a long time. I had to concentrate from the beginning and take my opportunities because he is the one under pressure, trying to be number one in the world at the end of the year.
"For me, nobody expects anything. I didn't look in the draw beyond this when I saw Djokovic in the second round."
Safin had only twice won back-to-back matches on tour in 2008 but was in command from the outset in bright and blustery conditions, twice breaking Djokovic's serve with some crunching ground strokes.
Djokovic was also contributing to his own troubles however, his fourth double-fault gifting Safin the initial break and, after breaking straight back, the 21-year-old lost his serve again to love.
The two players had met just once before, Safin thrashing the 17-year-old Djokovic 6-0 6-2 6-1 in the first round of the Australian Open in 2005 on his way to the title.
There was no danger of such an emphatic scoreline being repeated today, but Safin was sticking to his guns and forced two more break points early in the second set.
Djokovic held his nerve to stay in front and slowly began to hold serve with ease, leaving Safin to play catch-up and force a tie-break.
And it was the 28-year-old Russian who produced an inspired mix of great returns, forehand winners and deft changes of angle to take it 7-3 for a two sets to love lead.
Djokovic had managed just one previous comeback from two sets down in his career and never looked likely to improve that statistic.
Another costly double-fault gifted Safin a break of serve and 2-0 lead in the third set, leaving the world number 75 to simply serve out for a famous victory.
However, the 28-year-old set up two match points with an awesome backhand winner down the line and, although Djokovic saved those and one more, two more consecutive double faults gifted Safin the victory and the biggest shock of the championships so far.
MEN'S ROUND-UP: Number five seed David Ferrer, of Spain, tonight won his second round match against Igor Andreev of Russia, by a score of 3-6 6-3 6-4 6-2.
Federer and Marcos Baghdatis are into the third round after both enjoyed straight-sets wins over Swedish opponents.
World number one Federer beat Soderling 6-3 6-4 7-6, while 10th seed Baghdatis had less trouble with Thomas Johannson, winning out 6-4 6-4 6-4.
Stanislas Wawrinka secured his passage to the third round as he overcame Argentine Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets.
The Swiss 13th seed did not have things all his own way, but eventually wore down his opponent to record a 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 7-5 victory on Court 11 in two and a half hours.
Juan Carlos Ferrero is out, though, after retiring injured during the third set of his match against Germany's Mischa Zverev.
The Spanish 21st seed was trailing 6-4 6-4 2-1 when he called time on his second round clash because of a leg injury. Zverev will face Wawrinka in round three.
Lleyton Hewitt, the 2002 champion, won through easily against Spanish clay-courter Albert Montanes.
Hewitt, the 20th seed, will meet either Simone Bolelli or Fernando Gonzalez in the third round after a 7-6 6-0 6-2 rout.
The gritty Australian said he was determined to fight on despite the pain of a nagging hip injury.
"I've played with pain before," he said. "As long as it doesn't get too much worse, you know, I can handle it.
"I feel it most of the time I'm out there, it's just a matter of blocking it out and not dwelling on it too much."
Feliciano Lopez cruised into the third round with a 6-3 6-3 6-4 win over Croatia's Roko Karanusic. The 31st seed meets Bobby Reynolds next.