Russia's Marat Safin came out of nowhere to bring his best tennis and upset world No.3 Novak Djokovic in straight sets in the second round of Wimbledon. They've played once before, back at the 2005 Australian Open when Safin crushed a young and inexperienced Djokovic.

A lot has happened since then, and Djokovic was the clear favourite to progress this time. But a lot can happen in three months - Safin was looking at the possibility of retiring back in March. It's a good idea he decided to continue a bit longer!

The 75th-ranked Russian rolled back the years to recall the skills that once made him the world's top player as he competed with composure in dismissing third-seeded Djokovic. What was amazing was the fact Safin entered the match with an 11-13 record and had not reached the fourth round of a Major since the 2006 US Open.

In contrast, Djokovic had advanced to at least the semi-finals in eight of his 10 tournament starts this season and was a Wimbledon semi-finalist last year. Safin has never surpassed the quarter-finals in eight career appearances at Wimbledon, while Djokovic had reached at least the semis in five consecutive Grand Slam tournaments.

It's another reason why tennis is still one of the most enigmatic sports and so fascinating. Sometimes numbers don't mean anything! It was Safin who played with poise and power from the outset, breaking Djokovic to take a 3-1 lead in the first set. In a meeting of current and former Australian Open champions, Safin wielded his superior serve and a resounding return game to sweep aside the Serbian with surprising ease.

After the match Djokovic conceded Safin outclassed him in every aspect of the game. He said: "It was certainly a very bad day for me. I think being on Centre Court motivated him and he was mentally there today, the opposite of me. I didn't do anything to hurt him - no angles no precision. I was very up and down. I'm tired mentally as it's been a long season. He was just better than me. That's it."

Safin repeatedly ripped forceful returns in winning 22 of the 34 points played on Djokovic's second serve and coaxing 10 double faults from his rattled opponent. Though the 28-year-old Moscow native has not won a title since he defeated world No.1 Roger Federer and Australia's Lleyton Hewitt in succession to capture his second career Major at the 2005 Australian Open, he remains a titanic talent.

But he has struggled with his form and confidence in recent years. Knee surgery has diminished some of Safin's mobility, but he still strikes the ball with authority and often dictated play on serve today. Djokovic broke back in the opening set, but never gained another break point the rest of the match. Safin will now play 29th-seeded Andreas Seppi for a spot in the last 16 after the Italian slipped past Florent Serra.

With both Djokovic and seventh-seeded David Nalbandian out of the tournament, the second quarter of the draw opens for 10th-seeded Marcos Baghdatis and Safin to make a run at the final four.

The enigmatic, explosive Safin remains one of the sport’s most intriguing attractions - a man capable of blowing away almost any opponent or blowing up himself, sometimes within the course of the same match. But against Djokovic, Safin never strayed from the task at hand - and, in doing so, has done Federer a huge favour.