Federer in tennis ranking crisis after opening Toronto defeat

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

TORONTO (AFP) — Roger Federer's number one ranking slid into the danger zone as the Swiss suffered an opening-match loss to Gilles Simon 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 in the second round of the ATP Masters Series event.

After starting 2008 with a lead of 1,445 ranking points over Rafael Nadal, an off-the-boil season which now counts 10 defeats in 53 matches has Federer facing the possibility of losing the top spot he has held for 234 weeks since 2004.

"It's a bad start, no doubt," said Federer. "I wish it could have been different. Now I'm going to get some practise in."

While Nadal cannot take over the top spot even with a second title in Canada, site of his first career hardcourt crown, the pressure is now huge on 12-time Grand Slam champion Federer.

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