MX23RW : Thursday, April 18 01:19:33| >> :600:341081114:341081114:

Live Commentary: Sergiy Stakhovsky vs. Roger Federer - as it happened

Read how one of the biggest upsets of all time unfolded at Wimbledon this afternoon as Sergiy Stakhovsky knocked out defending champion Roger Federer in the second round.
2

Before today, Roger Federer had gone 36 Grand Slams reaching the quarter-finals or better and also not been beaten by a player ranked outside the top 100 since 2005.

Those records ended when Ukraine's Sergiy Stakhovsky knocked the defending and seven-time Wimbledon champion out of his favourite tournament this evening.

Read how one of the biggest upsets of all time unfolded in our game-by-game updates below.


Sort:
Newest
Oldest
It's hardly been the smoothest of days at SW19 so far but one man full of that is defending champion Roger Federer.

The Swiss maestro, seeded three at this year's Championships, is up against Ukraine's Sergiy Stakhovsky this afternoon and you'd be a foolish man to bet against Mr Federer today.

He was in scintillating form in the first round against Victor Hanescu, wrapping up the straight-set victory in just 68 minutes. Which is super, super quick for a three-set game.

If you do fancy a flutter on Federer's opponent today you can get big odds of about 25/1.

WHO? Before you do, you might want to know a little more about the Ukrainian. He is 27 years old and 6'4" tall and currently ranked 98 in the world. His highest-ever ranking was 31 back in September 2010 and he hasn't never got any further than the second round at the All England Club.

The pair are now out on court and going through the warm-up routine. The sun is out in SW19 and Centre Court is looking resplendent.

H2H: The pair have met just once before, in Dubai in 2011 and Federer came out on top 6-3 6-4.

The umpire is Mohamed El Jennati from Morocco.

Over on No. 1 Court, the biggest threat in Federer's half of the draw, Andy Murray, has just taken the second set against Lu Yen-Hsun.

It'll be Federer to serve first on Centre and he loses the first point as Stakhovsky goes for a drop shot straight away and gets the better of the Swiss at the net.

Four straight points for Federer after that early setback. Pleasant start for the defending champion.

Confident start for Stakhovsky on serve as he successfully serves and volleys straight away.

Early entertainment on Centre as Stakhovsky pulls off the through-the-legs 'hot dog' shot but Federer is there to win the point.

The Ukrainian matches Federer in holding to 15 with the first ace of the match.

It's easy peasy for the Fed Express on serve as the third seed holds to love. Expect few break points in this one and maybe even a tie-break or two.

The pair continue to go stride-for-stride as Stakhovsky also holds to love, with Federer shooting long with a backhand return.

A second point against the serve for Stakhovsky as he guesses right on Federer's forehand before playing a low backhand that the Swiss can only volley into the net.

Federer moves to 40-15 but "Ohh" woo the crowd as Stakhovsky pulls off a classy lob into the corner.

An ace from the third seed ensures that he isn't taken to deuce on his serve.

Federer gets a little lucky off a couple of returns and he has a chance to open up break point at 30-30 but Stakhovsky booms down an ace.

On the next point Federer gets a solid racket to the serve but blocks his backhand wide.

And now Stakhovsky has Federer at 30-30 as the Swiss can't quite stretch far enough to direct a volley in.

The Swiss moves 40-30 ahead with a clever backhand back behind Stakhovsky but then wildly hits a drive volley out and we're at deuce for the first time in the match.

A dinked volley and overhit return from Stakhovskky mean that we remain on serve in the opening set.

Over on No. 2 Court and there's a real screechathon going on between Larcher de Brito and Sharapova. The Portuguese, ranked 131 remember, is currently serving for the match against the third seed. Follow here.

"Game Stakhovsky," as the Ukrainian smashes a short forehand right down the middle with Federer guessing left.

Over on No. 2 and Sharapova has crashed out to Larcher de Brito! Incredible stuff from the world number 131. @Infostrada2016 tells us on Twitter: "For the first time at a Grand Slam in Open era (women's singles) at least 2 of the top three seeds fail to reach the third round."

Stakhovsky looking menacing at 15-30 on Centre but Federer with a big serve to bring it back to 30-30.

BREAK POINT Stakhovsky as Federer slices wide.

ACE!

Federer just about holds on under intense pressure there. It's now down to Stakhovsky to hold his nerve as he's serving to stay in the set.

Good start to the game for Fed as he gets the better of Stakhovsky with the Ukrainian looking to finish the point off at the net.

Brilliant defence from Federer as he tracks down a Stakhovsky volley and then plonks a lob on the baseline that the Ukrainian can only hit out. 15-30.

We're at deuce now as Stakhovsky looks to serve and volley at deuce but Federer coolly slices up the line and out of reach.

Good stuff from Stakhovsky as he outhits Federer from the baseline to yet again level the set.

He's doing more than holding his own here, Stakhovsky. The Ukrainian moves 0-30 ahead after a couple of Federer mishits.

Federer pulls it back to 30-30 but Stakhovsky now has a BREAK POINT as his return finds the corner and Federer can only flick out.

"AAAAH!" screams Stakhovsky as he does brilliantly to earn the upper hand but volleys long with a huge chance to move ahead.

Massive, massive chance to break goes begging for Stakhovsky as an ace and then netted Stakhovsky drop shot sees Federer hold. He now has to regain focus on serve to take us to a tie-break.

15-15 on Stakhovsky's serve as Federer blasts a high lob out of the sky just inside the baseline.

We're heading to a tie-break as Stakhovsky holds to 15.

Stakhovsky *0-1 Federer

Stakhovsky *0-2 Federer. Bad miss from the Ukrainian gives Federer the first mini-break.

Stakhovsky 1-2* Federer

Stakhovsky 2-2* Federer. Great work from Stakhovsky to level the breaker.

Stakhovsky *2-3 Federer

Stakhovsky *2-4 Federer. "Come on!" shouts Federer as he returns fantastically before putting away the easy backhand. The players change ends.

Stakhovsky 3-4* Federer

Stakhovsky 3-5* Federer. An ace from the Swiss which is unsuccessfully challenged by Stakhovsky.

Stakhovsky *3-6 Federer. Superb reach from the defending champion and he has THREE SET POINTS.

Stakhovsky *4-6 Federer

Stakhovsky 5-6* Federer

SET! An ace out-wide from the third seed and that must be a killer blow for Stakhovsky.

Not a good start to the second for Stakhovsky as he pushes long with a simple forehand volley.

The Ukrainian wins the next four on the bounce though and that shows that he's not completely deflated. Good stuff.

Federer with a weak shot at deuce and Stakhovsky has a break point but he can't convert, hitting long with a forehand.

There's been plenty of missed opportunities for Stakhovsky today and another one goes begging as Federer holds.

Over on No. 1 and Andy Murray has just booked his place in the third round.

Swift game from Stakhovsky and the crowd inside Centre produce a few whoops as Murray's result is shown on the screen.

Remarkable shot from Federer. The high backhand smash is regarded as one of the toughest to play in tennis and the Swiss has just produced an incredible one from a tough Stakhovsky lob.

The 31-year-old holds serve with another magnificent shot. This time it's a backhand volley on the run that lands right in the corner. Stakhovsky thinks about challenging but he knows it's in and is just amazed.

More wonderful tennis as Federer somehow gets to Stakhovsky's drop shot and pokes it up the line into the corner. Stakhovsky manages to sprint back and loop the ball back into play but Federer emerges from behind the umpire's chair to smash it away.

A weak forehand from Federer barely gets halfway up the net and Stakhovsky again moves ahead in the second. The defending champion has a real challenge on his hands here.

BBC Sport's John McEnroe describes today as "the craziest day he's ever seen at Wimbledon". Wow.

More pressure from Stakhovsky on the Federer serve. We're at deuce.

The Swiss, once again, comes through it though.

Stakhovsky continues to offer Federer little chance of a break on serve, holding to love impressively.

Federer does the same. We've now been playing longer - one hour, 12 minutes - than it took Federer to win his first-round match and we're only halfway through the second set.

Splendid tennis all round as first Stakhovsky pulls off an outrageous side-spin stop volley before Federer warns him about serving and volleying with a wicked return winner down the line.

Incredibly, Federer is yet to have a break point on the Stakhovsky serve. Once more the Ukrainian holds strong as Federer's backhand return doesn't curl enough to drop in.

A break of serve would hand Stakhovsky the set but Federer holds to love, not offering the Ukrainian the slighest glimpse.

Two brilliant returns from Federer and he's up 15-30 on the Stakhovsky serve. Nervy times for the underdog.

And now Federer's first BREAK POINTS of the match as another fine return to too hot to handle.

The first is saved thanks to a big serve.

Another first serve from the big man and that's both break chances extinguished quickly.

Stakhovsky has the chance to hold but a fantastic point from both men ends with Federer passing crosscourt with a backhand. Back to deuce.

He's got grit this lad, that's for sure. Two more first serves see him hold and now it's Federer who must hold to take us into another tie-break.

He's used to pressure situations and Federer holds to love and we've got another breaker.

Stakhovsky 1-0* Federer

Stakhovsky 2-0* Federer. Early advantage for the underdog.

Stakhovsky *2-1 Federer

Stakhovsky *2-2 Federer. The Ukrainian misses an easy volley and we're back level.

Stakhovsky 3-2* Federer

Stakhovsky 3-3* Federer. The players change ends all tied up at three points apiece.

Stakhovsky *3-4 Federer. Sweet volley from Federer ensures we stay on serve.

Stakhovsky *4-4 Federer

Stakhovsky 5-4* Federer. Big ACE from the Ukrainian.

Stakhovsky 5-5* Federer. Massive hold from Federer under plenty of pressure.

Stakhovsky *6-5 Federer. The Swiss misfires and it's SET POINT Stakhovsky on his serve!

SET! Great serve and volley and we're at one set apiece.

Stakhovsky repping a huge 80% of first serves in in that set. He also won 75% of his second-serve points and had three more winners than Federer. Mightily impressive.

An excellent passing shot from Stakhovsky to make it 15-15 but that's the only point he gets in the opening game of the third as Federer holds to 15.

Federer with a delicious half-volley up the line to take it to deuce. Can the Swiss finally break serve in this match?

A mishit second serve! Here's Federer's chance...

Misses! A great return from the defending champ and although Stakhovsky does well to put it in play, Federer loops his forehand pass wide of the line.

Federer is again on top of the rally at break point but as before it's his usually-brilliant forehand that fails him.

Stakhovsky shows how to close it out with a pair of big serves. Federer not bringing his A-game here.

The Swiss isn't letting that missed opportunity haunt him though as he holds to love.

'Right back at ya,' says Stakhovsky as he also holds to love.

I think we might be on our way to another tie-break you know. Both men look supreme on their own serves.

@Infostrada2016 tells us on Twitter: "Federer has NEVER lost a R2 match at a Grand Slam. He is 49-0 lifetime in R2 matches in Major tournaments." Good luck, Sergiy.

More mighty serving from the Ukrainian as he holds to love once more.

Hello hello. Federer hits long with a forehand and now Stakhovsky is 0-30 up on the Swiss's serve.

Brilliant stuff from Federer as he wins through to pull it back to 30-30 with a whack up the line on his forehand. Stakhovsky dives to try to keep the rally alive but it's in vain.

We're at deuce on the Federer serve as the number three seed smacks the top of the tape with his forehand but the ball doesn't pop over the other side.

BREAK POINT Stakhovsky as he gets lucky with two net cords.

The Ukrainian rockets back a forehand return but Federer sees it just wide. He would have been worried when that ball was flying back towards him.

Federer holds with a crashing serve out-wide that Stakhovsky can only get the edge of his racket to. The seven-time champ is hanging on!

Stakhovsky in a spot of bother at 15-30...

He pulls off a composed drop volley though and we're back to 30-30.

Immense resolve from the Ukrainian as he wins four on the bounce to hold serve. Can he keep this level of play up for another hour or so?

Federer moves within a game of the third set with a simple hold of serve. Stakhovsky needs to fight again now, or will Federer just step it up and prove too good?

Cool start from the underdog - an ace.

Big slice of luck for Federer as his backhand return hits the tape and plops over onto Stakhovsky's side of the net. 15-30.

Sublime half-volley from Stakhovsky at 30-30 to prevent set point.

Federer answers with a return an up-the-line return winner and we're at deuce.

Stakhovsky's level isn't dropping quite yet. A 14th ace of the match sees him hold again.

Fantastic deep slice from Stakhovsky and Federer can only nudge a backhand into the net. 15-30 and a slight opening for the Ukrainian.

Federer's forehand drifts long and Stakhovsky now has TWO BREAK POINTS!

ACE from the seven-time champion to save the first...

BREAK! Another miscue from Federer and that's a massive moment - the first break of the match.

Bullish start from Federer as he picks the serve and makes it impossible for Stakhovsky to get back.

Stakhovsky's first serve isn't cracking though and he now has THREE SET POINTS...

SET! Federer tests the Ukrainian at the net but he's up to the challenge and now leads by two sets to one.

Federer begins the fourth with an ACE down the middle.

Some trademark stuff there as Federer holds to love, finishing the game off with a delicate drop shot.

'Anything you can do, I can do better,' says Stakhovsky as he also holds to love, closing out the game in similar fashion to Fed with a lovely crosscourt dink.

The first real show of emotion in a while from Federer as he finds the line at 30-30 to set up game point.

Stakhovsky answers with some big hitting of his own, taking us to deuce with a fine crosscourt backhand.

BREAK POINT for the Ukrainian as Federer's forehand lets him down. Surely not?

BREAK! He's got it! Federer crashes his favourite out-wide serve inside the box but Stakhovsky puts it back in play and Federer's volley is tentative. Stakhovsky looks for the pass up the line and although Federer gets there his backhand volley isn't over the net.

If the unthinkable does happen here then one man who will be very happy is Andy Murray. He will have lost the other seeds in the top 10 in his half of the draw before the third round! Unbelievable.

That's Federer (3), Nadal (5), Tsonga (6) and Cilic (10).

Federer's not going away just yet though, he has TWO BREAK-BACK POINTS.

The first is saved with some dogged work at the net from Stakhovsky...

The second goes by as well as Federer shoots long with a forehand. He's missed so many of those today.

Federer with a stunning backhand slice at advantage down and we're back to deuce.

Is that a massive turning point in this match? Stakhovsky holds serve thanks to an accurate forehand on the line that Federer spoons up for an easy smash.

Federer stays in touch with a comfortable service game. It's amazing to think that he hasn't broken his opponent's serve today, squandering six chances to do so.

Great start to the next for Federer as he moves 0-30 ahead with some good returning against the ever-serve and volleying Stakhovsky.

Back to 30-30 we go as Federer fails to return a pair of Stakhovsky serves.

Stunning down-the-line pass and Federer has his SEVENTH BREAK POINT of the match. Will he take it?

BREAK BACK! He does! It's a tentative return from the Swiss but Stakhovsky sticks his forehand approach into the net.

Federer moves ahead in the set thanks to a love hold. The crowd traditionally love an underdog but they're all on Federer's side here.

That's nasty! Federer swipes a backhand drive-volley straight at Stakhovsky's face. The ball is travelling at 96mph but the Ukrainian does well to duck out of the way. Most players would apologise but Federer stares down his opponent. Mean, mean stuff from the man who is supposed to be one of the nicest gents in the game.

A hold to 15 for the Fed Express and he's now within a game of taking us into a fifth set. Can Stakhovsky hold his nerve? There must be so much going through his head at this change of ends.

Testing times for Stakhovsky at 30-30 but he proves his mettle by closing out the game.

Delicious angle on Federer's in-to-out forehand at 40-15 and he again moves within a game of the fourth. Stakhovsky's forehand is waning a little and Federer may start to target it more.

Tremendous depth from both men before Stakhovsky just pushes his forehand a little too far and then slips over. The Ukrainian stays down for a few seconds but it's just to grab a breather, he's fine. 15-15.

It's SET POINT FEDERER as Stakhovsky's half-volley doesn't make it over the tape.

BRILLIANT from Stakhovsky as he approaches the net and manages to win the battle.

Magnificent net play from the underdog and we're into a tie-break.

Stakhovsky *0-1 Federer

Stakhovsky *1-1 Federer

Stakhovsky 2-1* Federer. Three big serves so far, no breaks.

Stakhovsky 3-1* Federer. MINI-BREAK! Stakhovsky with a superb backhand winner down the line.

Stakhovsky *3-2 Federer

Stakhovsky *4-2 Federer. They change ends with the Ukrainian a mini-break ahead. He's doing so well to get first serves in so often.

Stakhovsky 5-2* Federer. Federer challenges a second serve but it did hit the line.

Stakhovsky 5-3* Federer. Stakhovsky challenges as well but his forehand was out.

Stakhovsky *5-4 Federer. Federer is hanging on here!

MATCH POINT STAKHOVSKY! Stakhovsky *6-4 Federer

SAVED! Magnificent from Federer - Stakhovsky 6-5* Federer

GAME, SET AND MATCH! FEDERER IS OUT!

What an incredible victory for the Ukrainian. Federer had the serve to pull it back to 6-6 but hit wide with a simple backhand. His record of reaching the quarter-final of Grand Slams ends at 36.

We haven't reached the third round and already Federer, Nadal and Tsonga are out. All three men were in Andy Murray's half of the draw so the door really is wide open for the Scot to reach the final.

Federer's bid for a record eighth Wimbledon crown is over. Yes, he didn't play his best today but credit to Stakhovsky, what a performance.

LISTEN TO THIS STAT! Total points won: Stakhovsky 162, Federer 161. Shows just how close this game was.

Stakhovsky tells BBC Sport that he is in "disbelief".

That's about it from me here. What an incredible day it's been at SW19. My SM colleague Jack Prescott tweets: "Craziest day of #Wimbledon ever?" Definitely up there! Recap it all on our hub of Wimbledon stories that can be found here. We'll be back tomorrow for more live action from the All England Club. See you then.

ID:90675: cacheID:90675:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:48533:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Roger Federer plays a shot against Victor Hanescu during the first round of Wimbledon on June 24, 2013
Read Next:
Federer eases through Wimbledon opener
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!