CINCINNATI - Roger Federer suffered his first tennis defeat before a final for 14 months when he was stunned by rising Briton Andy Murray 7-5 6-4 in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters today.
Second seed Rafael Nadal, however, avoided any drama as he safely reached the third roundby defeating South Korea's Lee Hyung-taik 6-4 6-3 for the second time in seven days.
Murray, ranked a career-high 21st, became only the second player to beat Federer this year as he broke the world number one's serve seven times to chalk up the biggest win of his career in just over 90 minutes.
Murray held his head in his hands after sealing the memorable victory and said he never dreamed he could topple the world No 1.
"I don't think Roger played his best but I give myself credit also," Murray said.
"I was finally able to serve one out.
"It's not enough just to play against Roger. You have to remain solid."
The last time Federer had fallen as early the second round in a tournament was at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Nadal, the only man to have beaten Federer in 2006 before Murray's unexpected success, kept his focus to complete an 80-minute win against Lee.
"My goal is improve on every surface, my goal is improve my game," Nadal said.
"Not only on hard court but on every surface.
"But to improve on every surface, I need improve my game, that's the challenge."
Nadal is keen to make an impact during the American hardcourt season following his third-round defeat in Toronto last week.
Although he has captured five titles this year, he has failed to get his hands on any trophy since triumphing at Roland Garros in June and is desperate to find some run of form before the U,S. Open begins on Aug 28.
