Top seed Andy Murray crashed out of Australian Open 2017 following fourth round defeat to world number 50 Mischa Zverev on Sunday. The Brit's loss comes days after world number 117 Denis Istomin stunned second seed Novak Djokovic as early as in the second round.
Murray, who was the clear favourite to progress to the quarter-final of the ongoing tournament, was tested from the first set, which went in favour of Mischa. With the world number fighting back to claim the second set, the German player took to the top seed with outstanding display of serve and volley to clinch the match 5-7, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4.
The 29-year-old clinched the match that went on for three hours and 33 minutes, much to the delight of his team and his younger brother, world number 24 Alexander Zverev, who was at the Rod Laver Arena a day after he lost a marathon five-setter against ninth seed Rafael Nadal in the third round.
The exit of the top two seeds has left the tournament wide open with Milos Raonic being the next highest seed. It also has made life easy for Roger Federer, who was supposed to meet Murray, if the 17-time Grand Slam winner gets past Kei Nishikori in their fourth-round match later in the day.
IBTimes Singapore has compiled some of the best reactions to Murray's shocking exit from the season's first Grand Slam.
Who wins now? Milos? Kei? Stan? Roger or Rafa?!?!?! #AusOpen
— TENNIS.com (@Tennis) January 22, 2017
When you hear Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic out in the first week of the Australian Open......... #ausopen pic.twitter.com/jxUvee0Sgf
— Chris Goldsmith (@TheTennisTalker) January 22, 2017
That feeling when you brothers beats World No. 1! #Zverev #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/jr3NfMg4LP
— Tennis Photos (@tennis_photos) January 22, 2017
hey little brother, that's how its done #AusOpen
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) January 22, 2017
Andy Murray out. This is the earliest exit for the top seed at #AusOpen since Lleyton Hewitt lost at this stage in 2003.
— Michal Samulski (@MichalSamulski) January 22, 2017
Zverev on the missed smash: I immidately looked at my mom, she always smiles when I miss those shots. She smiled now. #AusOpen
— Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) January 22, 2017
Pretty cool for ATP to get to experience a wide open Slam for a change. Welcome breath of fresh air from Murray-Djokovic copy-paste.#AusOpen
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 22, 2017
The highest seed left in the tournament is Milos Raonic. Just let that sit. #AusOpen
— Fiona (@federering) January 22, 2017
Andy Murray - gone! #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/wlReUlqRJF
— Ben Karpinski (@followthebounce) January 22, 2017
#mischazverev the giant killer post game interview on Rod Laver Arena #AusOpen. pic.twitter.com/Sa8N8AyUIs
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2017
#BrotherlyLove Misha & Sascha #Zverev share a moment #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/WqQHDgF9E1
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2017
Last time Djokovic & Murray failed to reach the QF at the same Grand Slam: 2007 #AusOpen. Both lost in 4R - Novak to Federer, Andy to Nadal
— Leigh Walsh (@LeighWalsh87) January 22, 2017
