Top-seeded Roger Federer loses to James Blake

BEIJING -- Roger Federer's Olympic moment was, for the third time, a glum one.

The world's No. 1 player, currently going through a rocky streak, was upset in the quarterfinals of the Olympic tournament here Thursday night by American James Blake.

Blake won, 6-4, 7-6 (2), marking the first time he had ever beaten Federer, although he had always gone into the matches with an upbeat attitude.

"The results haven't been good," he said, "but I've always felt I could win."

Thursday night, while Federer struggled -- especially with a first serve -- Blake swung from the heels and, unlike previous matches with Federer, the shots went in more often than not.

They held serve until Federer got to 4-5 of the first set. Blake got the set point by wrong-footing Federer on a deep ground stroke and then keeping him off balance for the next swing, which he netted.

Blake then ran out to a 3-0 lead in the second set, but Federer got back on serve and they carried on into the tiebreaker at 6-6, when, uncharacteristically, Federer cracked. He missed an open passing shot at 1-3, hit a forehand long for 2-5, and that put the match on Blake's racket with two serves.

Blake hit a deep approach and Federer netted his answer. Then, on match point, Federer went meekly, returning Blake's serve long.

Federer, No. 1 in the world for most of the last four years and the owner of 12 Grand Slam titles, second only to Pete Sampras' 14, will lose his No. 1 ranking to Rafael Nadal next week. Federer has not won a major title this year and had looked on the Olympics as a steppingstone for saving his year here, and at the upcoming U.S. Open.

Federer failed to win an Olympic medal in both Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004. He remains in the running in doubles here, but said Wednesday night that he expected, were he to win a medal, to have it be in singles.

"If I were to bet my house, it would be singles," he said.

Blake was seeded No. 8 here and became the top U.S. player in the men's draw when Andy Roddick chose not to play.

-- Bill Dwyre

Photo: Top-seeded Roger Federer of Switzerland is out of the Olympic singles competition after losing to James Blake of the United States. Credit: AP Photo/Elise Amendola

Comments

[Unni Warrier]

Way to go, James!

[Jim]

News People????

Poor guy beats the champ and no pix or even a place to see him??????

[West Coast]

Unbelievable. I have been thinking he'd turn it around but it's becoming more obvious that the air of invincibility is gone and Roger is beatable by more than just Rafa. I'm sure Pete Sampras is smiling in Beverly Hills...

[Guy B. Jones]

Congrats to James Blake -- this victory was a long time coming. Now the U.S. Open just gota whole lot more interesting than it was already, as Federer looks to salvage his 2008 season with a Grand Slam victory.

[Jon]

I cannot believe Blake finally beat Federer. Hopefully he can translate this to Grand Slam events. I agree with a pror response, Blake's picture should be posted, not Federer

[Olu A]

Every great experience will have its time of tough challenges. Federer is still the same but he's facing turbulent times. A change of approach is required bc what used to work for Fed b4 is no longer working. Goodluck of ressurrection at US Open!

[Olu A]

Every great experience will have its time of tough challenges. Federer is still the same but he's facing turbulent times. A change of approach is required bc what used to work for Fed b4 is no longer working. Goodluck of ressurrection at US Open!

[Fed Fan]

Every great experience will have its time of tough challenges. Federer is still the same but he's facing turbulent times. A change of approach is required bc what used to work for Fed b4 is no longer working. Goodluck of ressurrection at US Open! Divine help is not far away 4 U.

[Juanita]

Why is there no picture of Blake, why are they showing the loser, doesn't make since, what's up with that? Don't have me guessing?

[Dan Scarlett]

Why is everyone so puzzled at Roger’s decline?
He is a brilliant tennis player who has (in spite of the fawning press image of being ‘humble and gracious”) an essentially arrogant ego that has been mortally wounded by the Roland Garros and Wimbledon disasters.
He is gracious in victory (not difficult) and ’seemingly gracious’ in defeat–but if you listen carefully-or better yet, as someone cannily suggested, READ the transcript..somewhere buried in his measured words is a little stab…a little excuse…
a) He dismissed Nadal as “one-dimensional”…
b) He blamed the fading light on his Wiombledon loss..don’t believe me? Here is the quote:
“It’s a pity that such an important tournament could hinge on a few minutes of light”..as tho it only affected HIM and not Nadal…..!!
c) a few weeks ago he had the insensitivity to say:
“#2 and #3 don’t mean anything..only #1 counts”.
d) but suddenly when he is about to lose #1, he says (are you sitting down?)”
“Being at the top doesn’t mean being # 1..it just means being in the top 5 or 10, and being able to compete in Slams”…..(thanks for setting us straight)
e) and, before the Blake defeat, he was already blaming the schedule, which “made it difficult to do singles and doubles in such a short space of time”……he knew the schedule…it was the same for everyone..he chose to play doubles, for whatever reason…..
f) I havent seen his post-Blake interview--except for one line---no doubt he praises James 'properly'-- but it seems that the real reason he lost is:
" lack of match practice"......
Roger has not lost his forehand, or his serve–he has lost his nerve--and his sense of superiority.
I do not think any coach can help his wounded ego– unless he is also a sports psychologist !