The crucial question for Djokovic in the third was if the Safin serve could be broken — and early. Yet it was not the Russian who relinquished his attack but the world number three and in the second game. The following game brought a small glimmer of hope, as Djokovic got to 0-30, but again he was pinned back to 30-30 by some confident Safin play. A couple of over-hit Safin firsts gave Djokovic the opportunity to attack the second serve, but he could not make it tell. Games went with service until the eighth when Djokovic had the option of making Safin serve out the match. But starting the game with a double fault, hardly a sign of resolve, he soon found himself facing three match points. Some excellent play, particularly a drop shot picked almost from his toes, just about kept him in it. But against a fourth match point, Djokovic produced his eleventh double and it was over.

Marat Safin, a player who has been brought low with injury and whose motivation has often been questioned, was the deserved winner. He walked off the centre-court to a well earned standing ovation.

Every tournament needs its favourite outsider and there is probably now no more popular a player to fulfill that role. How far he can go remains to be seen. But it would be great for the tournament if he were to grow here, to regain the form that made him once such a thrilling and exciting competitor. It would certainly throw an element of unpredictability into the mix. For on his day he is a challenge to anyone.