Federer rumbled in Russia
The Swiss tennis star, Roger Federer, has crashed out of the $1 million ATP tournament in Moscow after losing to Germany's Nicolas Kiefer in the first round, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 (4-7).
Though the Basel-based player fought back convincingly after his first set defeat, his performance was never enough to outclass his opponent.
As Kiefer celebrated his first win in 55 days, Federer walked off the court contemplating his fourth first-round defeat of the season.
There was better news for Switzerland in Tokyo, where Ivo Heuberger (ATP 118) joined his Swiss compatriot, Michel Kratochvil, in the second round of the $700,000 tournament after beating the Spaniard, Alex Calatrava, in straight sets, 6-1, 6-3.
Heuberger has now reached the second round of an ATP tournament for the fifth time this season.
The Swiss player goes on to meet Israel’s Noam Behr in the second round.
In the women’s tournament in Moscow, Switzerland’s Emmanuelle Gagliardi is also through to the second round after defeating the American Meilen Tu 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.
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