Lukas Rosol the world number 100 shocked the world when he blasted the world number two off court, producing three aces and a bullet forehand to defeat the former champion with Sampras-esque ease.
(Lukas Rosol stunned the world by knocking out Rafael Nadal can anybody take inspiration from Czech today? Picture: BBC)
The ability of the 25 year old making his first appearance at Wimbledon to not let the occasion get to him and to dismantle Nadal's second serve was nothing short of incredible. However the match was not short of controversy. The Spaniard appeared to have finally found an answer for his inspired opponent, wrapping up the fourth set 6-2 when play was stopped for 40 minutes so the final set could be played under the roof.
Nadal was not pleased with this decision and was unimpressive for the opening three sets of the contest. He made an uncharacteristic number of errors on his normally lethal forehand and also conceded his serve with a double fault at the start of the second set. This is not to take away Rosol's performance which is likely to be talked about for decades. Nadal had made the final in his past five appearances at Wimbledon.
Few people would have been more delighted with Nadal's exit than six time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer who famously has a poor record against the world number two and lost the glorious 2008 final here to the 26 year old.
(Roger Federer's chances of winning a seventh Wimbledon dramatically increased when Nadal was beaten. He plays Julien Benneteau today Picture: Getty Images)
Hoping to reach his 33rd straight grand slam quarter final a record that can truly be appreciated after last night's result, Federer faces Julien Benneteau. The 30 year old Frenchman who has a very solid game but lacks the brilliance in attack and defence to truly trouble the Swiss.
The man who had contested the last four grand slam finals with Nadal, Novak Djokovic is first up on centre court against Radek Stepanek. Stepanek employs a strange serve and volley style on grass but this suits Djokovic perfectly. The Serbian's return game is legendary and he also possesses excellent passing shots, so while the Czech is good enough to make the match exciting, he probably can't stop the world number one.
Only two men in the half Nadal exited are in action today. The towering figures of Milos Raonic and Sam Querrey tied at one set all and 3-3 in their third set. Both remain potential dangerous opponents and could cause Andy Murray a headaches if they play him in the fourth round, as both possess giant serves.
(Richard Gasquet faces big challenge against Nicholas Almagro but will fancy chances of at least a quarter final appearance Picture: TennisHeads)
Much has been made of the death of the serve volley at this year's tournament but another component of the game rarely utilised in 2012, is the one-handed backhand. Court one's final match today showcases two players with outstanding one-handers. Nicholas Almagro battles Richard Gasquet to progress to the fourth round in another wide open part of the men's draw. Tomas's Berdych's shock exit and Ernests Gulbis's loss to a qualifier in the second round means the winner here should be reaching the last eight. They will be playing either Florian Mayer or Jerzy Janowicz, two players with little experience of the latter stages of grand slams. Gasquet's attacking game suits grass perfectly while Almagro is more comfortable on clay. However the Frenchman's mental short-comings could once again haunt him.
Janko Tipsarevic is the highest seed outside of Djokovic and Federer in the top end of the draw. Tipsarevic takes on Mikael Youznhy the fiery Russian who has a very similar game to the Serb in what could be a very close match.
Heather Watson has lit up Wimbledon with her infectious smile and endless energy but her run here could come to an end against number three seed Agnieska Radwanska. The Polish counter puncher hasn't quite matched her success on the WTA Tour at the grand slam level but should have the experience to end British dreams on centre court.
The sign of a true champion is winning when playing badly and that is exactly what Maria Sharapova did yesterday closing out the third set of her battle against Tvesta Pironkova. Today for the world number one, it's Su Wei Hsieh from Chinese Taipei. Ranked 63 in the world the 26 year old may use Rosol's heroics last night as inspiration.
(Former Wimbledon finalist Vera Zvonareva will look to hand Kim Clijsters her final ever competitive defeat at the All England Club Picture: Zvonareva Official)
A repeat of the 2010 US Open final pits Kim Clijsters against Vera Zvonareva. If the Russian keeps her emotions in check she certainly has the potential to make this Clijsters last ever appearance at Wimbledon. Two Americans hoping to be America's next great female champion are in action today. Christina McHale seeded 28, faces a tough contest against Germany's Angelique Kerber. Coming into the tournament ranked 8 Kerber, is a genuine dark horse having had a great season backing up a US Open semi-final appearance last year.
Sloane Stephens is another American with a bright future. Backing up a fourth round appearance at the French Open last month the 19 year old could be the natural successor to the Williams sisters at the top of women's tennis in the US. Her opponent will be familiar to the SW19 crowd, Sabine Lisicki who made it all the way to semi-finals last year and won over the British tennis public with her huge first serve and massive smile.
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