Roger Federer bows out to Daniel Brands in his opening match – Credit Agricole Suisse Open 2013
Former world number one, Roger Federer, was underplayed by the German challenger, Daniel Brands, in brutal straight sets at the Credit Agricole Suisse Open 2013 on Thursday. He suffered a 3-6, 4-6 loss at the hands of the world
number 55 at the ATP event where he started his career in 1998.
The Swiss Maestro was playing in Gstaad for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2004 (outclassed Igor Andreev in the final round). He changed his racquet to a larger 98 square-inch racquet frame after suffering a shocking
second round exit from the Wimbledon Championships. Federer managed to make semi-final berth at the Bet at home Open in Hamburg last week with the new gear but exited from his opening match at this ATP World Tour 250 series event.
Both contestants previously battle at the German Tennis Championship last week where Federer bounced back from a set down to overpower the 26-year-old. After securing this victory, Brands not only avenged his loss but also levelled
the FedEx ATP Head 2 Head series by 1-1 against the Swiss veteran.
"For sure the altitude has helped me," Brands said. "I served well and put pressure on him from the very beginning. It helped that I already played him in Hamburg last week. Of course you are very impressed when you face him on
the court for the first time. It’s completely different from what you see when you watch him on TV once you see him on the other side of the court."
The 17-time Grand Slam champion, Federer suffered the first blow in the sixth game and fell at 2-5. He failed to recover and eventually registered a 3-6 loss.
Federer failed to seek his rhythm in the following set and gifted away his opening serve. He held his remaining serves with poise but the initial blow cost him the set and the match.
Summing up the Swiss performance, Federer failed to capitalise on any of the five break chances and displayed dismal performance throughout the battle.
"I got a few chances but finally couldn’t take advantage of them," the Swiss reflected. "I wasn’t consistent enough in the end. He was serving well and I couldn’t do enough with my return."
Brands will face off the Romanian challenger, Victor Hanescu, in the final eight.
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