TENNIS Federer loses for first time in last 24 finals
David Nalbandian defeated the Swiss star in five sets.
SHANGHAI, China (AP) -- Hobbled by an ankle injury and on crutches three weeks ago, Roger Federer did something practically unheard of -- he lost a match.
The top-seeded Swiss came within two points of a third consecutive Tennis Masters Cup triumph before losing in five sets to David Nalbandian on Sunday.
Federer, who hadn't lost in 24 finals, was beaten 6-7 (4), 6-7 (11), 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 (3) for only his fourth defeat this year. Nalbandian ended Federer's 35-match winning streak and his bid to equal John McEnroe's 21-year-old mark of 82-3 for the best winning percentage in a season in the Open era.
"Roger, don't worry, it's not your last final," Nalbandian joked. "You're going to win a lot of tournaments, so let me keep this one."
Ranked No. 12
Nalbandian was ranked 12th before the tournament and was summoned to the eight-man field when Andy Roddick pulled out with an injured back. He had to cancel a fishing trip to travel to Shanghai.
"He caught a big enough fish today -- Roger Federer," Nalbandian's translator said at the post-match news conference.
"To win like this, it's really incredible," said Nalbandian, who earned $1.4 million in prize money and improved his year-ending ranking to a career-high No. 6.
Federer said he'd never expected to make it so far at the season-ending tournament when he limped into Shanghai last week.
"I feel like I've had a great year and a great tournament," he said. "Disappointment is always there, because I don't lose very often. ... I still get that feeling. It's good like this."
Besides, he said, "I came much closer than I ever thought I would come to this tournament victory. It was unfortunate in the end. I cannot believe myself I came back in the fifth, but somehow I did. There's also pride in there because three weeks ago I was still on crutches."
Hurt right ankle
Federer injured his right ankle the week after ensuring the year-end No. 1 ranking with his 11th title of the year on Oct. 2 in Thailand.
He couldn't practice or run until the week before the tournament. And with No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal, No. 3 Roddick, No. 4 Lleyton Hewitt, No. 5 Andre Agassi and Australian Open champion Marat Safin withdrawing either before or right at the start of the tournament, there was extra pressure on Federer to win.
He rallied from 0-4 in the deciding set and was serving for the match at 6-5 and 30-0 before Nalbandian broke back to force a tiebreaker. Nalbandian earned three championship points when Federer sent a backhand into the net. The eighth-seeded Argentine clinched the 4 1/2-hour match when Federer netted a forehand.
Nalbandian lost a lopsided Wimbledon final to Lleyton Hewitt in 2002 in his biggest previous match and although he's been consistent, he hasn't broken through for a Grand Slam title.
"For the next time, very important matches or big moments, I will be different on court," Nalbandian said.
Nalbandian had lost his last four matches to Federer, including a round-robin match in this event last Sunday, and leads him 6-4 in head-to-heads.
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