Federer and shaky backhand crash to Stepanek

Roger: 'I would be a bit more worried if I were to lose against a guy who would just be playing real clay court tennis'

FROM THE ITALIAN OPEN IN ROME – After winning his first title of the season in Estoril and playing some outstanding tennis in reaching the Monte-Carlo final last month, Roger Federer seemed to be getting back on track after a disappointing start to the season. But a shocking 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7) loss to the chipping and charging Radek Stepanek on clay proves the No. 1 is still vulnerable in 2008.

“There is no better win than to beat No. 1 player in the world, in front of full crowd,” Stepanek said. “That's amazing feeling.”

Federer was in control of the match in the first set, not losing a single point on his first serve. However, he never created a break point, because Stepanek was serving outstanding and backing it up frequently with solid volleying. The Czech hit six aces in the opening set, and a multitude of service winners.

Federer took an early lead in the tiebreak, but at 4-all, Stepanek attacked his serve with some powerful groundstrokes before finishing off with a backhand volley. The Czech then coolly produced a service winner and an ace to win the opening set, and all of a sudden, Federer was behind.

“I struggled to return and he definitely did serve well when he had to, especially throughout the first set,” reflected Federer. “Maybe in the tiebreak on my serve on both deuce sides let me down, and I let him back in the match that way. I think that one hurt me in the first set.”

Stepanek got off to a sloppy start in his opening service game of the second set, but he saved two break points with another big serve and a crisp forehand volley.

From the next game onwards, Federer’s backhand started to become a liability. He completely shanked two of them back-to-back to fall behind a break. “It happens all the time,” said Federer. “Something I've been trying to get rid of for 10 years. Still not today.”

When he shanked another one serving at 0-3, the crowd started to whistle in displeasure.

Nonetheless, Federer had the Italian fans completely in his corner. They supported him as one of their own players, with passion, and a certain disrespect towards his opponent. When Stepanek had the umpire come down to check a ball mark, he was heavily booed. After a winner from the Czech, there were a lot more sighs of disappointment than there was appreciation.

Despite enjoying the crowd support, Federer failed to play himself into form. He broke Stepanek back at 4-2, when the Czech got noticeably tight, but the Swiss then immediately dropped his following service game.

Federer was given another lifeline when Stepanek failed to close out the match on his serve at 5-3, and when the No. 1 raced out to a 4-1 lead in the tiebreak with a double mini-break, he seemed to be steadily on his way to unravel this opponent.

But Stepanek clawed back to even at 5-all after two excellent serves and two missed backhands from Federer. He then saved a set point at 5-6, as another big delivery set up an easy forehand putaway. On 7-all, Stepanek attacked Federer’s second serve with a powerful backhand down the line, which forced the Swiss into a backhand error. Stepanek sealed the win in style, with another service winner down the tee.

“After getting sort of back on even terms, it was just a big disappointment to be broken yet again,” Federer said. “And then having to break him again, I guess it just used up too many lives. I think I missed plenty of opportunities throughout the match. I think I led in both breakers with a mini-break, and usually when I have the lead, you know, I don't let it go, so it's quite disappointing. I wish I could have played better, you know, and I played so poorly on the big points. It's a tough loss.”

Federer will now head to Hamburg, where he is defending his sole clay court title of 2007. He beat Rafael Nadal in last year’s final, who was completely worn out from winning in Monte Carlo, Rome and Barcelona by the time they met. Federer doesn’t know what the loss against Stepanek will do to his confidence level heading into the last big tune-up event for Roland Garros.

“I can't tell you right now 10 minutes after the match,” Federer said. “But this wasn't really a clay court match. I think I would be a bit more worried if I were to lose against a guy who would just be playing real clay court tennis.”

The Czech will face No. 3 Novak Djokovic, who caught a break when Nicolas Almagro retired down 6-1, 1-0. Andy Roddick gutted out a tough 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4) win over Tommy Robredo and will face Stanislas Wawrinka, who took out James Blake 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 6-1.