Federer stunned by Benneteau in Paris

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Federer stunned by Benneteau in Paris

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12 November,2009 10:08 am

World number one Roger Federer slumped to a surprise 3-6 7-6 6-4 defeat by unheralded Frenchman Julien Benneteau in the second round of the Paris Masters. Top seed Federer, who had a first-round bye, made unusual unforced errors to fall to the unseeded Benneteau, ranked 49th in the world. The elegant Swiss, who has never advanced past the quarter-finals of the indoor event, started well but then struggled, losing the second set in a tiebreak and falling a break down early in the third set. World number two Rafael Nadal had earlier saved five match points before overcoming Nicolas Almagro 3-6 7-6 7-5 in a thrilling all-Spanish second-round battle. Nadal, who has been hampered by injury worries and has not won a title since last May, looked rusty at first on the fast indoor court of the Bercy hall but then recovered and braved the pain from a blister on his right foot. Serb Novak Djokovic had earlier survived a fightback by Argentine Juan Monaco to win 6-3 7-5 and reach the third round. The 22-year-old world number three, who beat world number one Roger Federer in the Basel final on Sunday to win his fourth title this year, next faces Frenchman Arnaud Clement. The day also witnessed the last game of former world number one Marat Safin, who ended his career with a brave 6-4 5-7 6-4 defeat by U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Porto amid warm cheers from the Paris crowd, who have always loved the gifted but erratic Russian.