Former world No. 1 Rafael Nadal is by no means a grass-court specialist, but the two-time Wimbledon champion's defeat by 100th-ranked Lukas Rosol has been hailed as one of sport's greatest upsets.
Nadal's nadir? —
Former world No. 1 Rafael Nadal is by no means a grass-court specialist, but the two-time Wimbledon champion's defeat by 100th-ranked Lukas Rosol has been hailed as one of sport's greatest upsets.
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Nadal is the modern-day King of Clay, having won a record seventh French Open title this year to extend his run to 52-1. His only defeat at Roland Garros came as a huge shock, as he was beaten by Sweden's Robin Soderling (pictured) in the fourth round in 2009, opening the door for Roger Federer to win his first Paris major.
Nadal's nightmare —
Nadal is the modern-day King of Clay, having won a record seventh French Open title this year to extend his run to 52-1. His only defeat at Roland Garros came as a huge shock, as he was beaten by Sweden's Robin Soderling (pictured) in the fourth round in 2009, opening the door for Roger Federer to win his first Paris major.
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So how does Nadal's upset compare to other stunners? Unfancied North Korea stunned football fans in 1966 by knocking Italy out of the World Cup in the group stage. Pak Doo Ik scored the only goal of their game to send the Italians home from the English tournament.
Italy vanquished —
So how does Nadal's upset compare to other stunners? Unfancied North Korea stunned football fans in 1966 by knocking Italy out of the World Cup in the group stage. Pak Doo Ik scored the only goal of their game to send the Italians home from the English tournament.
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Boris Becker won the Queen's Club championship in the buildup to Wimbledon in 1985, but nobody could have predicted what followed. The unseeded German embarked on a run of wins which culminated in a four-set victory over American Kevin Curren, making the 17-year-old Wimbledon's youngest men's singles champion.
Boy done good —
Boris Becker won the Queen's Club championship in the buildup to Wimbledon in 1985, but nobody could have predicted what followed. The unseeded German embarked on a run of wins which culminated in a four-set victory over American Kevin Curren, making the 17-year-old Wimbledon's youngest men's singles champion.
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Heavyweight champion Mike Tyson's 1990 bout with Buster Douglas was supposed to be a percursor to a much-heralded fight against Evander Holyfield. But Douglas had not read the script, knocking out the previously undefeated Tyson in the 10th round.
Tyson Busted —
Heavyweight champion Mike Tyson's 1990 bout with Buster Douglas was supposed to be a percursor to a much-heralded fight against Evander Holyfield. But Douglas had not read the script, knocking out the previously undefeated Tyson in the 10th round.
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Argentina, captained by the legendary Diego Maradona, entered the 1990 World Cup as champions but the South Americans suffered a shock 1-0 defeat by Cameroon in the tournament's opening match. Francois Oman-Biyik headed the Africans' winner.
Oman-Biyik's big moment —
Argentina, captained by the legendary Diego Maradona, entered the 1990 World Cup as champions but the South Americans suffered a shock 1-0 defeat by Cameroon in the tournament's opening match. Francois Oman-Biyik headed the Africans' winner.
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Denmark failed to even qualify for Euro '92 in Sweden and only received a place in the tournament when Yugoslavia were disqualified due to the conflict in the Balkans. The Danes made the most of their unexpected opportunity, progressing to the final where they beat Germany 2-0 thanks to goals from John Jensen (pictured) and Kim Vilfort.
Great Danes —
Denmark failed to even qualify for Euro '92 in Sweden and only received a place in the tournament when Yugoslavia were disqualified due to the conflict in the Balkans. The Danes made the most of their unexpected opportunity, progressing to the final where they beat Germany 2-0 thanks to goals from John Jensen (pictured) and Kim Vilfort.
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Winners do not come much more unlikely than John Daly at the 1995 British Open. A recovering alcoholic, Daly was 66-1 to win at St. Andrews, the Scottish course known as "the home of golf." The American emerged victorious from a four-hole playoff with Italian Costantino Rocca to clinch his second major triumph.
Daly's delight —
Winners do not come much more unlikely than John Daly at the 1995 British Open. A recovering alcoholic, Daly was 66-1 to win at St. Andrews, the Scottish course known as "the home of golf." The American emerged victorious from a four-hole playoff with Italian Costantino Rocca to clinch his second major triumph.
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Goran Ivanisevic had been a professional tennis player for 13 years, but, ahead of Wimbledon 2001, he had yet to win a grand slam title. He had slipped to 125 in the world rankings, but was handed a wildcard place for the grass-court grand slam. Ivanisevic played like a man possessed at the All England Club, defeating home favorite Tim Henman in the semis before beating Pat Rafter in an emotional final with his fourth match point.
Glory for Goran —
Goran Ivanisevic had been a professional tennis player for 13 years, but, ahead of Wimbledon 2001, he had yet to win a grand slam title. He had slipped to 125 in the world rankings, but was handed a wildcard place for the grass-court grand slam. Ivanisevic played like a man possessed at the All England Club, defeating home favorite Tim Henman in the semis before beating Pat Rafter in an emotional final with his fourth match point.
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Ahead of Euro 2004 in Portugal, few thought Greece would get out of their group, let alone have any chance of lifting the Henri Delaunay trophy. After a shock win over the hosts in the opening match, victories over France in the quarterfinals and the much-fancied Czech Republic in the last four set up a rematch with Portugal in the final. Angelos Charisteas' first-half header gave Greece a stunning 1-0 win and their first major tournament win.
Greek Gods —
Ahead of Euro 2004 in Portugal, few thought Greece would get out of their group, let alone have any chance of lifting the Henri Delaunay trophy. After a shock win over the hosts in the opening match, victories over France in the quarterfinals and the much-fancied Czech Republic in the last four set up a rematch with Portugal in the final. Angelos Charisteas' first-half header gave Greece a stunning 1-0 win and their first major tournament win.
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By anyone's standards, 100-1 are very long odds. That was how unlikely a victory for Mon Mome was considered at the 2009 Grand National. But the horse, rode by Liam Treadwell, romped home to win the marquee British race by 12 lengths.
Mon Mome's moment —
By anyone's standards, 100-1 are very long odds. That was how unlikely a victory for Mon Mome was considered at the 2009 Grand National. But the horse, rode by Liam Treadwell, romped home to win the marquee British race by 12 lengths.
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In 1980, the Soviet hockey team entered an Olympics filled with tensions between the host United States and the Communist power. Despite fielding a team of mostly college players, the U.S. defeated the Soviets 4-3, the four-time defending Olympic champions and the most dominant national team of that era.
1980 U.S. hockey team —
In 1980, the Soviet hockey team entered an Olympics filled with tensions between the host United States and the Communist power. Despite fielding a team of mostly college players, the U.S. defeated the Soviets 4-3, the four-time defending Olympic champions and the most dominant national team of that era.
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