Federer the big casualty as seeds tumble in Rome Masters tennis

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

ROME (AFP) — Roger Federer was the biggest casualty as the seeds tumbled on a day of shocks at the Rome Masters on Friday.

World number one Federer was downed 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (9/7) by Czech Radek Stepanek while eighth seed James Blake fell to Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/5), 6-1.

Federer was out of sorts throughout the match with his backhand particularly misfiring badly.

"You've seen me many times, it happens all the time," he moaned afterwards. "It's something I've been trying to get rid of for 10 years but still not today."

Although he lamented his backhand, he said there was more than just that wrong with his game.

"I don't know if it was just the backhand. I think I missed plenty of opportunities throughout the match," he...