LONDON: Former world No 1 Marat Safin sent third seed Novak Djokovic crashing out of Wimbledon on Wednesday while Serbian compatriot Ana Ivanovic narrowly escaped the same All England Club black hole.
Safin, a US Open and Australian Open champion during his glory days before a slump sent his career into freefall, stunned the 21-year-old world No 3 6-4, 7-6 (3), 6-2 with a magical Center Court display.
On Court One, women's top seed Ivanovic, buoyed by her French Open triumph, had to save two match points in extraordinary circumstances to see off France's experienced Nathalie Dechy 6-7 (2), 7-6 (3), 10-8.
There were no such dramas for five-time men's champion Roger Federer who eased into the last 32 with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (3) win over Robin Soderling.
It was the world No 1's seventh win in seven meetings with the 23-year-old Swede and the comfortable manner of his victory would have been aided by having seen dangerman Djokovic removed from his side of the draw.
"I'm very happy with the win," said Federer who was watched from the players' box by American pop star Gwen Stefani and will next meet France's Marc Gicquel for a place in the fourth round.
"The conditions were difficult, the sun was low so it was hard to see the ball in the last few points. So I was pleased to get through without playing a fourth set."
Reigning Australian Open champion Djokovic, who had reached the third round at least in his last nine Grand Slam appearances, and was runner-up to Rafael Nadal at Queen's two weeks ago, sent down 10 double faults and 28 unforced errors.
"It was a very bad day. I didn't do anything I was supposed to do. I made too many mistakes and had no momentum," said the 21-year-old Djokovic, a semifinalist last year.
"Marat was one of my idols when I was a junior. I have a lot of respect for him and maybe that played a role today."
Former double champion Serena Williams moved on with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Polish teenager Urszula Radwanska and will next face 2006 champion Amelie Mauresmo of France.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
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