Federer flops in Dubai

Federer crashed out in less than an hour Keystone

Switzerland's Roger Federer is facing a possible fine from the ATP following a lacklustre performance in the second round of the Dubai tennis championships.

Federer (ATP 15) lasted just 53 minutes before going out in straight sets (3-6, 1-6) to Germany’s Rainer Schüttler (ATP 40). Prior to Thursday’s match, the Swiss number one had won all three of his previous encounters with Schüttler.

Only arriving in Dubai on Monday after winning a weekend doubles title in Rotterdam, the Swiss number one made light work of Wednesday’s first round tie with Romania’s Adrian Voinea (ATP 76). But 24 hours later and against tougher opposition, Federer looked completely out of sorts.

“I reckon that he played well below what we would expect,” said disappointed tournament referee Jeff Chapman. The ATP also announced it would be looking into Federer’s apparent lack of effort in the closing stages of the match.

The Swiss number one will now have ten days to revitalise before embarking on the first two Masters Series tournaments of the season in Indian Wells and Miami.

swissinfo with agencies