If there's one thing you learn watching tennis over the years, it's that you can  never completely write off a former star, especially those with big flashy games.

Goran Ivanisevic taught us that lesson seven years ago right here on these lawns, and Marat Safin served up yet another reminder today with his shocking 6-4, 7-6 (3), 6-2 upset of Novak Djokovic.

It doesn't matter how far they've dropped or how long it's been since their last major victory. When they find themselves back on a big stage and get their teeth into a significant match, it's amazing how often the old magic suddenly reappears.

It's no accident that former No. 1 and French Open champ Juan Carlos Ferrero was the one who finally took down a blistered Nadal in Rome this spring. And it's no accident that Lleyton Hewitt has frequently cropped up when the players discuss dangerous names in the draw, despite a wonky hip and middling results this season.

Plain and simple, the old lions know how to win. In a tense struggle that can count for more than strokes or stamina.

Djokovic forgot that, and paid the price.

"He's known for his mental instability in some ways," said Djokovic, drawing chuckles for his bald description of Safin's Achilles heel. Djokovic had expected Safin to produce enough bad patches to allow the Serb to slide to victory. But the bad patches never came.

"This is one of the things that went wrong. I shouldn't just wait for the mistakes. I was supposed to go for the shots and play that aggressive style that I always play."

When Djokovic's normally penetrating game reverts to passive mode, it's usually a sign that he's tired or tense. Today, it seemed to be both.

"Tired mentally, I'd probably say yes," said Djokovic, who was looking forward to a vacation after his exploits so far this year. "I'll leave the racquets at home and go somewhere many miles away."

Safin, who has dropped all the way to No. 75, drew on the fact that Djokovic was the one carrying the burden of expectation.

"I took advantage that he was under a lot of pressure because he's fighting for No. 1," said Safin.

Both players concurred that Djokovic had played well below his normal level, but Safin also capitalized ruthlessly, taking good care of his serve and producing his best when it was most needed. During the critical second-set tiebreak, he kept his nerve and showed some inspired touch to go along with his powerful groundstrokes, while Djokovic produced some untimely errors. Safin then clamped down firmly on Djokovic's half-opportunities in the third set and coasted to victory.

It's his biggest win in a couple of years, and on his least favorite surface to boot. And not a moment too soon.

"I've been working unbelievably hard in, unbelievable preseason. Even though the results are not coming -- the beginning of the season, I was losing left and right -- still I'm going to the gym and still doing my things. I think it's time for results to come," he said.

"Just you need to have a little bit of commitment with yourself, try to set some goals. You cannot just drop it in the middle of the year. After three months if the results are come coming, I think you should give yourself a chance and try more."

Another ageing warrior took note.

"I'm really happy for Marat. I get along really well with him. I've practiced a lot with him the last couple of years, but probably more so this year," said Hewitt, who also reached the third round on Wednesday. "I played him in Las Vegas earlier this year. I kind of felt sorry for him on the court. He was terrible. So for him to come out and be able to turn it around and play like this in a big tournament, yeah, it's fantastic for him, really is."

Safin, however, still seemed skeptical about the broader significance of the match.

"He didn't impress me with his game today. I could read his serve. I could return. I could stay with him from the baseline and that's it," said Safin. "I would say I played solid... I hope I can play better than that."

And true enough, this could turn out to be the lion's last roar. Just don't be too sure of that.

For more Wimbledon coverage, including daily previews, predictions, analysis and a look back at the history of the tournament, go to Tennis.com.

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