Upset against the defending tennis champion
By 2017, Novak Djokovic was on his way to building his tennis GOAT credentials; he had won 12 majors at that point. Denis Isotomin was ranked 117th and had never gotten past the fourth round in any Grand Slam tournament; his highest ranking was #33 in 2012.
On January 19, 2017, Denis Istomin shocked the tennis world by defeating Djokovic in the second round of the Australian Open. This upset was at Djokovic's best-performing tournament, as he had won five of the last six championships, six overall. The odds for Novak reached -8500, whereas it was +3000 for Istomin to topple the defending champ.
In a match nearing five hours, Denis would start strong winning the first set before dropping the next two and ultimately taking the final two to stun Novak. Djokovic had never previously lost to anyone outside the top 100 in a Grand Slam. Despite playing in a wild-card tournament to get in, facing the defending champion, and being down two sets to one, Isotomin would still triumph over a tennis legend on this day.
Quotes
He was an underdog, but he didn’t show any nerves in the big moments,...Surely he didn’t play that many big matches, but just everything came together for him. It was the right moment for him, the right day, and he was better.
Novak Djokovic
First of all, I feel sorry for Novak. I was playing so good today, I mean, I surprise myself also today.
Denis Istomin
References
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Novak Djokovic upset by Denis Istomin at Australian Open
Arguably the greatest Australian Open champion in the 105 years of the event, Novak Djokovic was stunned Thursday on Rod Laver Arena. The world No. 2 fell to wild-card Denis Istomin 7-6 (8), 5-7, 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 in the second round of the year's first major.
ESPN
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Novak Djokovic Stunned by Denis Istomin in 2nd Round of Australian Open
In one of the biggest upsets in Australian Open history, Novak Djokovic, a six-time champion in the tournament, was defeated in five sets in the second round by Denis Istomin, a wild card from Uzbekistan ranked 117th in the world.
The New York Times
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Novak Djokovic stunned as Australian Open title defence ends against Denis Istomin
The fifth had remained on terms until Djokovic offered up two break points at 2-2, and Istomin pounced on the second, drilling a backhand winner down the line and unleashing a weary scream of satisfaction. By then the physical toll was more pressing than the emotional one, and he desperately attempted to massage his hamstrings at the change of ends.
The Guardian
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Novak Djokovic vs. Denis Istomin Predictions, Odds...
Next up for Djokovic is a second-round clash with unseeded Denis Istomin. The 29-year-old has fared extremely well against Istomin in the past, winning all of their five previous meetings.
TopBet
