Denis Istomin is a 30-year-old tennis player from Uzbekistan that is ranked 117th in the world. He has a career singles record below .500 at 185-191, and has never made it to the quarterfinals of a major.
Well, his life will forever be changed now, after he just won an Australian Open second-round match against the guy that has won five of the last six Australian Open titles (including the last two years).
Istomin pulled off a stunning upset to knock off No. 2 Novak Djokovic 7-6 (10-8), 5-7, 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 on Thursday in Melbourne. The incredible match lasted four hours, 48 minutes, and the first set lasted 87 minutes.
Stunner Down Under. Witnessed few surprises as big: Denis Istomin lights out shotmaking, stone cold closing vs 6 time champ Djokovic. Wow
— Chris Fowler (@cbfowler) January 19, 2017
It looked like Istomin may be running out of gas, especially after Djokovic took a 2-1 set lead. But he battled back and made some amazing shots in the final two sets.
Like this backhand:
And here was the match-winner:
And his post-match interview (these are always great in tennis):
Denis Istomin… what a moment! Knocks out Novak #Djokovic in the second round of the #AusOpen! pic.twitter.com/NwI9XHNKS9
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2017
It was only the second time Djokovic has lost to a player outside the top-100 in the last seven years:
This was only Djokovic's second loss to a player ranked outside the Top 100 in 7 years. #AusOpen
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2017
And Djokovic’s first loss to a player outside the top-100 in a major:
Novak Djokovic's loss to Denis Istomin is his 1st loss to a player outside of the top-100 at a major tournament (33-0 entering the match). pic.twitter.com/dQ2ndIw3nE
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 19, 2017
It’s only January, but this will be one of the most shocking upsets we see in sports all year.
[ESPN 2]