It was easier said than done given the opponent he was facing.
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Despite being halted by rain after being down two sets, Djokovic was unable to turn the match around losing 7-6 (6) 6-1 3-6 7-6 (5).
But it was the way he won the second set which caused a few flutters on No 1.
And compare the pair’s past records at the All England Club: Both entered this matchup with the same number of losses at the event, eight, but the difference in wins was the not-insignificant tally of 54 for Djokovic to nine for Querrey.
The biggest amount deducted from a player’s paycheck at this year’s tournament so far was the $12,000 for Britain’s Heather Watson, for jamming her racquet into the grass.
“I am so ecstatic right now, so happy and that’s about it”.
“I have a family and I have a life outside of tennis. I want to try to focus on that rather than on failure”, he added.
The second round was finally completed on Saturday, two days later than normal because of rain, with No. 24 seed Alexander Zverev of Germany beating Mikhail Youzhny of Russian Federation 6-4, 3-6, 6-0, 4-6, 6-2.
A jinx because: 1) Querrey was a set away from creating history and 2) the Southern California native has not been a beacon of mental fortitude in his career, his relaxed, go-with-the-flow vibe not something that fits in among tennis’ peak.
What also abandoned Novak?
Djokovic hadn’t lost at any major tournament in more than a year. Querrey knew he may never get a better chance and stood firm as the Serb fought back, clinching a memorable win as Djokovic faltered in the fourth-set tiebreak.
Querrey would lock down from there, however, getting back to 3-all when Djokovic hit a backhand slice into the net. “Those are two different thoughts to have when you are playing”.
Sam Querrey celebrates victory over Nicolas Mahut. “I’ve sprinkled a couple top?10 wins in there, which kept giving me the belief that, hey, if I keep at it, there will be some wins like this today”. Novak, himself was very disappointed in that defeat and was seen upset in the after match presentation.
“I’m not even sure who I play next”, Querrey told the BBC immediately after the match. “The 6’6” American surged into his first Grand Slam quarterfinal after one hour and 59 minutes of brilliant tennis that saw him blast 53 winners to only 15 unforced errors. Not since 2004 has play been held on that day.
He said it was that same injury that forced him out of Wimbledon.
“He overpowered me”, Djokovic said. “I’m going to go out there thinking I’m going to be the victor”, he said.
Laver, now 77, felt Djokovic may have subconsciously switched off a little having achieved his goal of winning the French for the first time and making it four in a row.
“It’s not the first time that I’ve lost a Grand Slam match, or any match for that matter. I’m still here and I’m playing my match tomorrow”. He didn’t have to and I’ve seen some players (Serena Williams) not sign after they win.
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Querrey endured three more rain delays Saturday to improve to 21-1 in his career when winning the first two sets.
