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 15 May 2008 18:31 BST

Federer dumped out in Rome quarter-finals by Stepanek

Friday, 09 May 2008 20:38
Roger Federer blow a golden chance to win a tournament on clay, following Rafael Nadal's defeat on Wednesday
Roger Federer has crashed out of the Rome Masters after a shock 7-6 (7/4) 7-6 (9/7) loss to Radek Stepanek in the quarter-finals.

The world number one suffered his sixth defeat of the year, two weeks away from his bid to win his first French Open.

After the first set had gone with serve, Stepanek went 6-4 ahead in the tie-break with a crisp volley before sealing the set with an ace.

Federer cranked up the tempo in the second set, winning four straight service games without dropping a point.

Stepanek kept himself in the match with his serve and volley game to force another tie-break. Federer blew a 4-1 lead in the tie-break with Czech star Stepanek sealing victory on his second match point with another ferocious serve.

Federer, 26, admitted he played poorly on the big points.

"Usually when I have a lead I don't let it go, so it's quite disappointing," the 12-time grand slam winner said.

"He's difficult to play. He's always changing his game up a lot. But I've played him in the past, so it wasn't a surprise. I just wish I played better."

Former US Open champion Andy Roddick booked his place in the last four with a 6-3 4-6 7-6(4) victory over Spain's Tommy Robredo.

Elsewhere, unseeded Stanislas Wawrinka is through to his first Masters semi after beating American James Blake 6-7 (5/7) 7-6 (7/5) 6-1.End of story

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