Federer Shocked Tuesday at ATP Shanghai Masters; Djokovic, Nadal, Murray Wednesday

by Staff | October 13th, 2015, 10:45 am
  • 17 Comments

Roger Federer hadn’t played a tour event since the US Open, and the rust showed on Tuesday as the No. 2 seed exited the Shanghai Masters in his opening-round match, falling to Spanish qualifier Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-3.

“I’m always cautious,” said Federer, who last year saved five match points against Leo Mayer in the first round, going on to win the title. “I just think the first round here in Shanghai has always been historically quite difficult, getting used to the conditions and the surface and the balls. Last year I got lucky. This year I didn’t. So it’s a pity.”

Federer was broken at 3-4 in the third set and the Spaniard went on to serve out the match in a stunner. The Swiss had participated in Davis Cup three weeks ago defeating The Netherlands.


“I’m really happy to beat Roger Federer,” said Ramos-Vinolas, who was 0-15 career against Top 10 players and ranked No. 70. “I didn’t expect it during the match. After the second set I thought I would lose. But I played really good. I was very solid with my serve in the third set.”

Federer was the lone seeded loser on the day as fellow Top 10ers Milos Raonic and Gilles Simon won their openers.

The No. 9-seeded Canadian edged Thomaz Bellucci 7-6(5), 7-6(2), while the No. 10-seeded Frenchman avoided at upset at the hands of Georgian qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3, 4-6, 6-0.

“I feel like I’m in a good place physically and mentally,” Raonic said. “Now I hope I can play some good tennis. It’s just been in a lot of ways a frustrating season. For most of it, through many important tournaments, not to be able to play at 100 percent, that sort of has its own downfalls, I guess. I’m trying to make the most of it now for the rest of the year.”

With Federer’s exit the draw now opens up for No. 16 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who was a 6-3, 6-2 winner on Tuesday over Victor Estrella Burgos.

In other seeded action No. 11 Richard Gasquet put down the big-serving Gilles Muller in straights, No. 12 Kevin Anderson straight-setted wildcard Tommy Haas, and No. 14 Marin Cilic powered past Borna Coric 6-1, 6-2.

Unseeded winners were Jack Sock next lining up No. 5 Tomas Berdych, Vasek Pospisil who will next meet the No. 11 Gasquet, David Goffin who will next face No. 13 John Isner, Viktor Troicki who with a three-set win over Pablo Cuevas earns a meeting with No. 4 Stan Wawrinka, and the mercurial Fabio Fognini who will next face down the big serving of the No. 12-seeded Anderson.

Top seeds Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Kei Nishikori are all in action on a loaded Tuesday schedule.

TUESDAY SHANGHAI SCHEDULE
STADIUM start 1:30 pm
[6] K. Nishikori (JPN) vs N. Kyrgios (AUS)
[3] A. Murray (GBR) vs S. Johnson (USA)

Not Before 6:00 pm
[1] N. Djokovic (SRB) vs M. Klizan (SVK)

Not Before 8:00 pm
[8] R. Nadal (ESP) vs I. Karlovic (CRO)

GRANDSTAND start 1:30 pm
B. Tomic (AUS) vs [7] D. Ferrer (ESP)
J. Sock (USA) vs [5] T. Berdych (CZE)
V. Troicki (SRB) vs [4] S. Wawrinka (SUI)

Not Before 6:00 pm
R. Bautista Agut (ESP) vs [9] M. Raonic (CAN)


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17 Comments for Federer Shocked Tuesday at ATP Shanghai Masters; Djokovic, Nadal, Murray Wednesday

RZ Says:

Pospi-Sock lost a tight match to Kyrios-Tomic. That must have been a fun one to watch.

Noticed that John Peers is playing with Leander Paes this week. Probably because Jamie Murray is hanging out in the UK still.


jalep Says:

Would have loved to see that match: PospiSock v Kyrgios/Tomic.

WTA match results were interesting too. Venus won in Hong Kong, Radwanska in Tianjin.

Race to Singapore updated:


jalep Says:

Would have loved to see that match: PospiSock v Kyrgios/Tomic.

WTA match results were interesting too. Venus won in Hong Kong, Radwanska in Tianjin.

Race to Singapore updated:


jalep Says:

http://www.wtatennis.com/road-singles-leaderboard

Doubles race, RZ: Lucie Safarova very happy about qualifying for Singapore with Bethanie Mattek-Sands.


jalep Says:

Have no idea how that doubled-posted. Barely touched ‘submit’ once. Damm laptop.


Margot Says:

If Andy could get to No 2 at the AO:
“That would be something,
That really would be something.”


RZ Says:

@Jalep – thanks. Looks like Safarova is out of the singles race, but considering her recent illness (which is probably why she lost today) it might be for the best that she plays doubles only.


RZ Says:

@Margot – yes it would! Though the way these draws keep working, he would end up with Roger in his half. (Of course the one week that Roger loses early is the one of the rare times that Andy is in the other half).


RZ Says:

Wawrinka is about 800 points behind Fed. Wonder if he can pass him by year end?


RZ Says:

All the guys in contention for London have relatively tough openers in Shanghai:

Berdych vs Sock
Nadal vs Karlovic
Nishikori vs Kyrgios
Ferrer vs Tomic


Margot Says:

@RZ
Would rather Andy kept away from Nole till the very end, providing they both get there of course, which is why I wrote that.


RZ Says:

@Margot – in not so great GB tennis news, Laura Robson is out for the rest of the year. http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/oct/13/laura-robson-withdraws-2015-events-wrist-injury


J-Kath Says:

RZ – Really! I’ve been thinking that most often Andy is in Nole’s half????????????? Be an interesting mini-research task…….aargh – am too lazy.


J-Kath Says:

Margo – have appointments most of tomorrow – if U’re free please double your “C’mon Andy’s”. (PS: Agreed -Andy retaining No. 2 position for Aus. GS is very important……….)


jalep Says:

RZ.

Even though Lucie lost her opening match in Linz, I think she’s playing Kremlin Cup and it counts for points for RTS, but should double check. Depends too on how others in contention do.

There’s always Zhuhai year end final. (could be nearly as good as Singapore!)

Kath – thanks for the link on the other thread.


Margot Says:

@Kath
From what I saw Andy looked mighty fine. Hit one CC4hand at 133 something or others. OMG :o. Steve’s finest was returned with interest.
Bizarre comment in response to that link you posted BTW. Xtreme sensitivity or what?
Thought Steve was a “young gun” but, by heck, he looks at least 55!


J-Kath Says:

Thanks, Margot:

Just back – verra, verra pleased with wee Andy – hope he goes deep. Curious now to have a look at Steve.

Agree, bizarre indeed -shooting the messenger about a fairly well balanced article…..(must have real mental issues)….

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