They’re only in the fourth day at the All England Club in London but already we’ve seen some big names fall by the wayside.

Yesterday, No.3 seeded Serb Novak Djokovic was upset in the second round by veteran Russian Marat Safin. Surprisingly, it took the two-time slam winner straight sets to oust the 2008 Australian Open champ. Safin is still a threat whenever he plays due to his mammoth ground strokes and big serve. He also has good touch for a big guy.

However, this wasn’t expected to happen. Djokovic was having a great season having won his first major and two other ATP tournaments threatening Rafael Nadal’s No.2 ranking and quite possibly challenging Roger Federer for No.1. The 20 year-old was so cocky entering the grass court tournament that he had some candid remarks about how the rating five-time Wimbledon champion was looking more vulnerable and was worried about whether he could make it a remarkable six in a row.

The tables were stacked for Djokovic, who was a semifinalist last year to meet Federer in the same round and then possibly beat Nadal in the final. Instead, he bowed out in disappointing fashion 4-6, 6-7 (3), 2-6 against his childhood idol. Maybe next time, he’ll keep his mouth shut before such a prestigious event.

Djokovic wasn’t the only big name to lose in the first week. Today, former 2004 champ Maria Sharapova stunningly joined him by dropping her second round match in straight sets to 20 year-old countrywoman Alla Kudryavtseva 2-6, 4-6 on Court 1.

The 21 year-old three-time slam winner just never found a rhythm against an equally hard hitting opponent who played the bigger points better after cruising in the first set. As usual when she falters, double faults (8) and unforced errors (22) were Sharapova’s undoing. When she had opportunities to get back in the match, the Russian just couldn’t deliver despite a nervous unranked foe who gave her looks.

What Kudryavtseva did well was keep the ball in play hitting deep strokes which drew errors. She only committed nine unforced errors for the match. Sharapova had a couple of points to square the second set but she was outhit from the baseline and then doubled to setup match point. After a short second serve which had her on the run, the younger Russian struck a perfect crosscourt forehand which fell out of Maria’s reach to clinch the stunning upset.

For Sharapova, this was a bitter pill to swallow because her part of the section was weak and should’ve been an easy route to a potential quarterfinal date with either four-time Wimbledon champ Venus Williams or Jelena Jankovic.

Instead, she exits quietly in a year which was wide open.

On the men’s side, American James Blake also lost in five sets to German Rainer Schuettler 3-6, 7-6 (8), 6-4, 4-6, 4-6. The No.9 seed who’s the most talented player to never reach a grand slam final had five set troubles again blowing a two sets to one lead against a rejuvenated opponent who outslugged him.

Is it a shock that Blake’s out on grass? Hardly. On a surface you’d assume would help him do better, for whatever reason his big court game just doesn’t translate. He and Andy Roddick could’ve met in the Round of 16. But that’s not happening. In fact, Roddick is locked in a tight battle against Serb Janko Tipsarevic at a set apiece on serve in the third set.

If anyone recalls, Tipsarevic is the same player who gave Federer all he could handle in an epic five set battle down under. He has huge serve and hits big kind of like Roddick. So, it’s no surprise that it’s close.

I figure Andy will pull it out. We’ll see.