Shanghai Daily news

In one of the biggest upsets at the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup, world No. 7 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile rallied from a set down to beat top-ranked Roger Federer 4-6, 7-6 (1), 7-5 in Shanghai last night.

It was the defending champion's first loss in 11 meetings against Gonzalez, and snapped the Swiss star's perfect 15-0 record in round-robin play at the circuit finale and may put his title defense in doubt.

"I thought it was ridiculous some of the shots he was coming up with," a visibly stunned Federer told reporters.

"I can't do much when he drills that incredible forehand in the corner. I wish I had an excuse but I just lost the tiebreak in a bad way and never got the edge in the third set."

It was the first time that Federer had lost two consecutive matches in 4 1/2 years.

Federer won three grand slam titles in 2007 and already has clinched the No. 1 ranking for the fourth straight year. But he has been vulnerable over the past month, falling twice to the ninth-ranked David Nalbandian, first in Madrid, then again in Paris.

The last time the world No. 1 lost two matches in a row was in 2003 when he fell in the third round at Hamburg, then the first round at the French Open. He now will likely have to beat Andy Roddick and Nikolay Davydenko to reach the semifinals.

American Roddick survived a scare against Russia's Davydenko to win the earlier Red Group match 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

Federer started in typically ruthless fashion, breaking Gonzalez in his first game before wrapping up the first set in just 29 minutes.

However, Gonzalez took the second set to a tiebreaker where Federer went into a tailspin, losing it 1-7.

In the decider, Federer staved off break points in the third and fifth games but was broken for 6-5 as Gonzalez hammered ground strokes at the Swiss before finishing with a deft volley.

Gonzalez, 27, raced to 40-0 in the next game and sealed a famous victory as Federer hooked a forehand wide in front of a disbelieving Qi Zhong Stadium crowd in suburban Minhang District.

Gonzalez is making his second appearance at the Masters Cup after playing as an alternate in 2005.

Earlier, Davydenko's gutsy fightback from a set and a break down sparked a tantrum from Roddick, who smashed his racket in disgust at his second-set collapse.

"For as many times as it's helped me, it's hurt me that many times also," the American said. "It's just part of my personality. I've always been pretty expressive and emotional on the court."

But Roddick recovered superbly, storming through the third set to severely dent his opponent's chances at the US$4.45 million event.

Both players have endured almost constant torment at the hands of Federer in the past, making victory in their group opener imperative.