The Ukranian who sits at 116 in the world was regarded as a rank outsider
It ends Federer's run of 36 consecutive grand slam quarter final berths
It was the Swiss champion's worst showing at Wimbledon since 2002
The shock result will boost Andy Murray's chances of Wimbledon glory
Potential opponents Federer, Nadal and Tsonga now out of the running
It was a day of shocks in SW19 as Maria Sharapova crashed out today
By STEVE NOLAN
Seven times champion Roger Federer has become the latest big name star to crash out of Wimbledon in the tournament's early stages after a shock defeat to little known Ukrainian opponent.
Federer, the defending champion after defeating Andy Murray in last year's final, saw his challenge end as early as the second round on Centre Court as he was beaten in four sets by world number 116 Sergiy Stakhovsky.
It ends an impressive run of 36 consecutive grand slam quarter-final appearances by the Swiss player.
His defeat will further boost Murray's Wimbledon hopes following Rafael Nadal's stunning defeat on Monday.
Federer's loss in exactly three hours rocked Wimbledon to its core on a day that already provided more than its fair share of shocks after seven players withdrew or retired injured and third-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova also stumbled to defeat in the ladies competition.
The last time Federer, who has won a record 17 grand slam titles, including seven gilded Challenge Cups, failed to reach at least the last eight was in the 2004 French Open.
But on day three of the championships an opponent ranked a lowly 116th condemned the Swiss to his earliest Wimbledon exit since a first-round loss in 2002.
Even the most optimistic of Stakhovsky supporters could not have seen this dramatic Centre Court result - one of the biggest shocks in Wimbledon history - coming this evening.
The 27-year-old, who has only made the second round here once before, played a superb serve-and-volley game.
Stakhovsky was good value for the win, with Federer having no answer to his opponent's movement and precision.
The defeat sees the pathway for a return to the final look even clearer for Murray with Nadal and Federer now out of the running along with potential quarter final opponent Jo-Wilfried Tsonga retiring during his second round tie with a knee injury.
Murray himself had earlier swept through round two beating Taiwanese opponent Yen-Hsun Lu in straight sets.
Speaking to the BBC after his stunning victory against Federer, Stakhovsky said: 'I am in disbelief that it happened. It was the best tennis I played and incredible.
'When you play Roger Federer at Wimbledon he's historical, it's like two against one. I hoped he wouldn't get too far from me, that was my plan.
'I hung in there, tried to go to tie-breaks. I got a little tight when I got up a break in the fourth and I am really happy to go through.
'It's magic. I couldn't play any better. I did everything I needed, it was a fantastic day for me.'
Stakhovsky has never made it to the third round of a grand slam tournament until now and his previous best at Wimbledon saw him reach round two in 2011.
He turned pro 10 years ago and peaked at number 31 in the rankings before slipping down to his current status.
The stunning defeat was Federer's first to a player ranked outside the top 100 since he lost out in a 2005 Monte Carlo showdown with Richard Gasquet who was ranked 101 at the time.
It is the earliest exit for a reigning Wimbledon men's champion since Lleyton Hewitt saw his challenge end at the first round back in 2003.
Andy Murray is second favourite at 6/4 to take the Wimbledon crown behind Novak Djokovic at 8/11 according to bookmakers Paddy Power.
Stakhovsky is still a longshot at 100/1 to win the overall title.
source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2349078/Wimbledon-2013-Roger-Federer-crashes-Centre-Court.html
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