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TORONTO: Swiss world No. 1 Roger Federer suffered a shock defeat in
his first match since losing the Wimbledon final as he went down
2-6, 7-5, 6-4 to Gilles Simon of France on Wednesday.
Federer was defeated for the second time in an
opening match this season at the 2.6 million-dollar Association of
Tennis Professionals Masters Series hardcourt tournament here in
Toronto. He also lost to Andy Roddick in the Dubai first round in
early March.
Federer, who had a first-round bye, was beaten
in this month’s classic Wimbledon final by Rafael Nadal.
Simon was fresh off winning the Indianapolis
title last weekend and could not believe his success in the
second-round match-up.
“I don’t know what to think. This is just
unbelievable to beat Roger like this,” said the 23-year-old
Frenchman who is ranked 22nd.
“I was really tight at the beginning but then
I had a nice sensation from the baseline, I played my tennis and
fought on every point. I can’t believe I won this match.”
Earlier, Nadal waited out a six-hour rain delay
before taking the court and winning his 25th match in a row, beating
Jesse Levine 6-4, 6-2.
The Spanish world No. 2 spent a frustrating day
along with the rest of the field as downpours prevented an on-time
start to his first match since lifting the Wimbledon title over
Federer two and a half weeks ago.
But once Nadal overcame an early break from
Canadian-born American Levine, the Spaniard motored ahead to remain
undefeated since Rome in May.
-- AFP
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