Federer down but not out

SHANGHAI: Roger Federer lost his first match of the Shanghai Masters for the second year on the trot yesterday as Frenchman Gilles Simon dealt the recently injured Swiss star another ugly reminder that he is no longer at the top of his game.

After a sub-par season which saw him lose the Wimbledon crown and world No 1 spot to Spaniard Rafael Nadal, Federer was pushed to the verge of elimination in the season closer as upstart debutant Simon came back from one set down to beat him 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in their first group match.

Federer, who stormed back last year to clinch his fourth title in seven attempts at the event, was brought shatteringly down to earth at a busy Qi Zhong stadium yesterday when Simon handed him only his fourth loss to date at the tournament.