Federer stunned by Canas, Murray through
Tennis: World number one Roger Federer suffered a stunning 7-5 6-2
upset defeat by Argentine Guillermo Canas in the Pacific Life Open
second round on Sunday.
Federer, seeking his fourth title in a row at the Indian Wells
Masters Series tournament, received treatment for blisters at the end of
the first set and looked sluggish throughout as his 41-match winning
streak was ended by Canas.
The Swiss ten-times grand slam champion, whose last defeat was
inflicted by Briton Andy Murray in Cincinnati in August, was hoping to
break the professional era record of 46 successive wins set by Argentine
Guillermo Vilas.
Federer celebrated his 161st consecutive week as world number one
last month, breaking the 30-year-old record of American Jimmy Connors.
"It's great to beat the number one, I feel perfect," the 29-year-old
Canas told reporters. "I dream about this, but I didn't expect it. I
have confidence in my game but I know it's gonna be tough." Canas
outplayed Federer from the baseline, never allowing the top seed to
control the centre of the court and sealing victory with a powerful
inside out forehand. Canas, ranked 60th in the world but with a career
high of eighth in 2005, returned to the tour last September after
serving a 15-month suspension for a doping offence.
The Argentine world number said that a doctor had mis-prescribed a
banned medication.
"I feel terrible for that, to make maybe a small mistake," Canas
said. "But all the players know that, and for this they give me a very
good welcome and support me a lot. Now it's great again because I do
what I want, I do what I love." He lost in last round of qualifying for
the tournament to German Alexander Waske, but earned a place in the draw
when Belgium's Xavier Malisse withdrew due to injury.
Murray eased past South African Wesley Moodie 6-3 6-3 to reach the
third round. Number eight seed Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia also progressed
but was made to work hard by Colombia's Alejandro Falla before scraping
through 6-7 6-4 6-4.
The 19-year-old Murray blunted Moodie's serve and volley attack by
firing his returns low to the South African's feet and cleverly reading
his opponent's passing shots. The 13th seed is aiming to break into the
world's top 10 this week and showed the consistent form that led him to
his second career title in San Jose last month.
The British number one broke Moodie three times and was broken just
once. He next faces France's Nicolas Mahut, who upset 23rd seed Marat
Safin 6-3 4-6 6-0.
"I returned pretty good today," Murray said. "High percentage of
first serves, didn't make too many unforced errors, so it was a solid
match." Number 11 seed Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic was not so
lucky as he lost 7-6 6-4 to American journeyman Michael Russell.
INDIAN WELLS, California, Monday, Reuter |