Kei Nishikori dug deep to
Despite reaching at least the quarterfinals of the other three Grand Slams, Nishikori has never been past the fourth round at Wimbledon.
The world number nine was pushed hard by Stakhovsky, who famously stunned Roger Federer at Wimbledon three years. But Nishikori, 27, ignored the searing heat on Court One eventually prevailed in three hours and 15 minutes.
"I knew it was going to be a tough match because Sergiy's best surface is grass," said Nishikori, who is finally fit after a host of injury problems. "The last set was very tough. It was hard to get a break. I played good enough. I felt very good on the court. I had enough energy for a fifth set as well. I'm very happy to be healthy again."
Nishikori's cause wasn't helped by the plague of flying ants that descended on Wimbledon throughout the match and kept smacking into his face. "There were so many, they were hitting my face all the time. It wasn't easy but I kept my focus," he said.
Former U.S. Open finalist Nishikori faces Spanish 18th seed Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round as he aims to make the last 16 for the third time.
Defending champion Andy Murray stormed into the third round with a ruthless 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 demolition of Dustin Brown. Murray needed only 96 minutes to see off the dreadlocked German as he underlined his return to fitness following a nagging hip injury.
Next up for world number one Murray is a clash with colorful Italian 28th seed Fabio Fognini.
"He started very well, he was coming up with some great drop volleys and really going for the returns," Murray said. "Once I got the break in the first set, I felt the momentum was with me. I started to see the shots he was going to play a little but quicker and that allowed me to get to some of the drop volleys and come up with some passing shots."
Murray said his hip had not affected him at all during his two matches so far. "I feel good and hopefully it stays that way," he said.
Two-time champion Rafael Nadal reached the third round with a 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 win over Donald Young of the United States. Fourth seed Nadal will face Russian 30th seed Karen Khachanov for a place in the last-16.
"I played a solid match, serving well," the Spaniard said after his victory. "I'm happy now, it's great to be back in the third round without losing a set. I'm just trying to go day by day.
"I take it easy now, just trying to enjoy every moment. I'm having a great season," said Nadal, who won a historic 10th French Open last month on the Paris clay.
Plagued by the flying ants, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga admitted the insect attack had got up his nose. He was bothered by the annoying bugs throughout his 6-1, 7-5, 6-2 victory over Simone Bolelli.
Several other players were also seen swatting away the ants, but French 12th seed Tsonga had an especially intimate encounter when one flew up his nose and another into his ear.
"That was strange. I had a few experiences in the United States sometimes. With the light at night sometimes you have big bugs. Or in Australia also you have these kind of things," he said. "But this was a little bit different, because these ones was very small but a lot. So it was special sometimes, it was in my nose and in my ear."
In the women's draw, officials and fans can stop doing a double-take at this year's Wimbledon after Kristyna Pliskova was knocked out before admitting she has no desire to stay and support identical twin sister Karolina. World number 44 Kristyna lost her second round singles match to Greece's Maria Sakkari 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 6-4.
Just hours later, the 25-year-old teamed up with Victorija Golubic in the women's doubles only to lose in the first round 6-4, 6-3. She won't be tempted to stick around the All England Club to back her world number three sister Karolina in her bid to lift a first Grand Slam title.
"We have completely different schedules. We never stick around to watch each other," Kristyna told AFP. "I will pack my bags and go straight back home to Prague in the morning. That way I don't have to think about what happened here.”
Ailing Petra Kvitova, the two-time Wimbledon champion and the bookmakers' favourite for the 2017 title, said she felt like a "slow animal" in her shock second round exit. The Czech 11th seed lost 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 to America's Madison Brengle who has made the third round for the first time.
Kvitova, who was playing in her second Grand Slam since recovering from a terrifying knife attack in her home, needed to call for medical assistance during the third set.
As well as having her blood pressure taken, the 27-year-old required an on-court examination by a doctor after complaining of breathing difficulties.
"I just couldn't breathe, and I was feeling a bit sick, as well," said Kvitova. "That sometimes happens. But, yeah, unfortunately it happened at Wimbledon, which is not nice."
Britain's Johanna Konta reached the third round for the first time with a 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 10-8 win over Donna Vekic which left her opponent in tears. The 26-year-old Konta triumphed after three hours and 10 minute and goes on to face Maria Sakkari of Greece for a last-16 spot.
With Heather Watson having also made the last 32, it is the first time since 1986 that two British women have reached the third round at Wimbledon.
Vekic, watched by boyfriend Stan Wawrinka, the men's world number three, was inconsolable in defeat having squandered break points in the 17th game of the deciding set.
New mom Victoria Azarenka continued her comeback bid for Wimbledon glory, playing her first Grand Slam tournament since giving birth to first child Leo in December. She knocked out Russian 15th seed Elena Vesnina 6-3, 6-3, taking her record over the Russian to 8-0 without dropping a set.
The Belarusian, 27, could become the first mother to win the Wimbledon singles since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980.
"Travelling is a little stressful for me, travelling with a baby. I want to make sure that everything is okay. But overall, it's just great. It's really fun that I'm able to go home and spend time with my son," she said.
Japan's Naomi Osaka defeated Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic 6-1, 0-6, 6-4.
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