Federer out in fourth round at Key Biscayne

Roger Federer was upset by Tomas Berdych on Tuesday night in the fourth round of the Sony Ericsson Open.

Federer’s 6-4, 6-7(3), 7-6(6) defeat was a boon for the 1.96-metre Czech player, who had lost eight consecutive matches against the top-ranked Swiss and 11 in a row against top-ten opponents.

Federer impressed the crowd in Key Biscayne, Florida with his second set rallies but also committed 62 unforced errors against Berdych, ranked 20th.

“I fought as much as I could,” Federer said. “My game has issues at the moment. I’m definitely lacking timing. I don’t know where that comes from.”

Federer won the tournament in 2005 and 2006; he finished second to Andre Agassi in 2002.

Federer had problems from the start, committing 18 errors to four by Berdych in the first nine games. Federer lost the final eight points of the opening set, double-faulting on set point.

He held a match point at 6-5 in the second tiebreaker but Berdych hit a forehand winner. Two points later, Federer sailed a forehand long to give Berdych the win.

“After a match like that, the feeling is great,” Berdych said. “I’m really happy the way I finish it.”

“It fuels my desire to go to the practice courts because I don’t like to lose these type of matches,” Federer said.

swissinfo.ch and agencies