Roger Federer run comes to an end against Andy Roddick at Sony Ericsson Open
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Your support makes all the difference.Roger Federer's run of 16 victories came to an end with a surprise defeat to American Andy Roddick in the third round of the Sony Ericsson Open last night, losing 7-6 1-6 6-4.
Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, bidding for his second title of the season, dispatched fellow Serb Viktor Troicki 6-3 6-4 and no longer needs to face Federer to defend the tournament he won last year.
Celebrations have been rare for Roddick in recent times.
A series of injuries and illnesses have seen the 2003 U.S. Open champion tumble down the world rankings to 34 and taken their toll on the man who pushed Federer all the way in a marathon final for the 2009 Wimbledon crown.
However, in front of a packed crowd under the lights at Crandon Park, Roddick raised his arms in triumph after a display of power hitting and big serving that gave him just his third win in 24 encounters with Federer.
After Roddick edged the first set in a tiebreak, Federer fought back strongly in the second.
But the match turned decisively in Roddick's favour early in the third set when Federer missed out on three chances to break in the second game and then was broken himself in the next.
Roddick never let loose of his grip to end a Federer winning streak that took him two titles in Rotterdam, Dubai and Indian Wells.
The defeat also finished a Federer run of 77 consecutive victories against players outside the top 20.
"I felt like a lost against a former number one, not a guy ranked in the thirties," said Federer, who added he had felt a little flat.
"It's been maybe 30 matches this season. I am just feeling like it's taken its toll a bit, which is normal.
"But I've played more tired in the past, so this was not the most tired I have ever been, but you just start to feel it a bit. I didn't just get the lucky break today that I got in Indian Wells."
Roddick will next play Spain's Juan Monaco, who beat France's Gael Monfils 4-6 6-3 6-4.
"You don't get to enjoy it for long. The process starts now getting the body to recover after a late night and getting it ready to go again," Roddick said.
"As much as you want to take it in, because obviously these wins are few and far between, you have to get ready," he added.
World number one Djokovic broke Troicki three times en route to his 11th consecutive win over his compatriot to set up a fourth round match against Frenchman Richard Gasquet.
Gasquet, who has been a quarter-finalist in four tournaments so far this year, beat Spain's Albert Ramos 6-2 5-7 6-3.
Leading American Mardy Fish recovered from being a break down in the first set to defeat 28th ranked Kevin Anderson of South Africa 6-4 6-3.
Fish advances to face Spain's 12th seed Nicolas Almagro, who played solid tennis, committing just 10 unforced errors in his 6-3 6-4 win over compatriot Fernando Verdasco.
Reuters
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