Nalbandian upsets Federer in Shanghai

Argentina's David Nalbandian kisses the champion trophy during award presentation after defeating world number one, Switzerland's Roger Federer in the singles final in the Shanghai Tennis Masters Cup held at the Qi Zhong stadium in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2005. (AP)

Hobbled by an ankle injury and on crutches three weeks ago, Roger Federer did something practically unheard of - he lost a match. The top-seeded Swiss came within two points of a third consecutive Tennis Masters Cup triumph before losing in five sets to David Nalbandian on Sunday.

Federer, who hadn't lost in 24 finals, was beaten 6-7 (4), 6-7 (11), 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 (3) for only his fourth defeat this year. Nalbandian ended Federer's 35-match winning streak and his bid to equal John McEnroe's 21-year-old mark of 82-3 for the best winning percentage in a season in the Open era.

"Roger, don't worry, it's not your last final," Nalbandian joked. "You're going to win a lot of tournaments, so let me keep this one."

Nalbandian was ranked 12th before the tournament and was summoned to the eight-man field when Andy Roddick pulled out with an injured back. He had to cancel a fishing trip to travel to Shanghai.

"He caught a big enough fish today - Roger Federer," Nalbandian's translator said at the post-match news conference.

"To win like this, it's really incredible," said Nalbandian, who earned $1.4 million in prize money and improved his year-ending ranking to a career-high No. 6.

Federer said he'd never expected to make it so far at the season-ending tournament when he limped into Shanghai last week.

"I feel like I've had a great year and a great tournament," he said. "Disappointment is always there, because I don't lose very often. ... I still get that feeling. It's good like this."

Besides, he said, "I came much closer than I ever thought I would come to this tournament victory. It was unfortunate in the end. I cannot believe myself I came back in the fifth, but somehow I did. There's also pride in there because three weeks ago I was still on crutches."

Federer injured his right ankle the week after ensuring the year-end No. 1 ranking with his 11th title of the year on Oct. 2 in Thailand.

He couldn't practice or run until the week before the tournament. And with No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal, No. 3 Roddick, No. 4 Lleyton Hewitt, No. 5 Andre Agassi and Australian Open champion Marat Safin withdrawing either before or right at the start of the tournament, there was extra pressure on Federer to win.

He rallied from 0-4 in the deciding set and was serving for the match at 6-5 and 30-0 before Nalbandian broke back to force a tiebreaker. Nalbandian earned three championship points when Federer sent a backhand into the net. The eighth-seeded Argentine clinched the 4 1/2-hour match when Federer netted a forehand.

(Agencies)