Stepanek Stuns Federer in Rome

Roger Federer's hopes of winning the French Open, beginning in two weeks time, were thrown into further doubt when the world No1 was beaten 7-6, 7-6 by Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals of the Italian Open this afternoon. The Swiss must have believed, with his clay court nemesis Rafael Nadal having been beaten earlier in the week, that the path was open for him to win this title for the first time here. Instead this defeat will have further shaken his confidence after he lost his Australian Open crown earlier in the year.

The French Open is the one major to elude Federer, with Nadal having beaten him in the final for the last two years. He has frequently appeared vulnerable on other surfaces this year, losing to Serbia's Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals in Melbourne, and almost losing his opening match in the Monte Carlo Masters when the Spanish qualifier Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo was within two points of victory. On that occasion Federer recovered, but was beaten in straight sets by Nadal in the final.

Switzerland will have a player in the semi-finals, but it is the relatively unknown Stanislas Wawrinka. Federer had no excuses. Nadal, when he lost in the second round against fellow Spaniard and former French Open champion, Juan Carlos Ferrero, was suffering from a huge blister under his right foot. Federer simply played poorly.

The 29-year-old Czech, a former top 10 player, is extremely talented, but has never managed to get beyond the quarter-final of a slam, and is more famous for being the former boyfriend of Martina Hingis. He played well, yet once again Federer's game was riddled with unforced errors and huge miss-hits, notably on his backhand. When he led 5-2 in the second set tie-break it appeared he might turn the match around. Instead he let it tamely slip away.

"I missed plenty of opportunities throughout the match. I think I led in both breakers with a mini break, and usually when I have the lead, you know, I don't let it go, so it's quite disappointing. It's a tough loss," said Federer, who now moves on to Hamburg where he is defending the title. "I hope I can bounce back strong in Hamburg. I hope it will not affect my confidence. I can't tell you right now, but this wasn't really a clay court match, you know. I think I would be a bit more worried if I were to lose against a guy who would just be playing real clay court tennis. This was a different match."

It was impossible not to think that Federer was deluding himself. "Is this the beginning of the end?" the 12-times grand slam champion was asked. "Next question, please," he replied. But it is a question that will not go away until, or if, he wins No13.