BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- After a 23-match winning streak, World No. 1 Roger Federer knocked out by Slovakian Dominik Hrbaty 1-6 7-6 6-4 in the first round of the Cincinnati Masters on Tuesday.
He is just one step away from the 24-match winning streak set by Pete Sampras in 1999.
"It may have been one tournament too much for me to keep winning, so I can't be too disappointed."
Federer's last defeat can be dated back to the third round of the French Open at the end of May.
This 22-year-old Swiss supeer star declared that he was exhausted, which may explain why, after dominating the first set, he failed to capitalise on several good chances in the second, missing break points in the third and fifth games.
Federer then played an uneven tiebreak, following great shots with indifferent ones to lose 9-7 after over-hitting a backhand drive.
ĦĦBut his defeat gives defending Cincinnati champion Roddick, who is in action against Belarussian Max Mirnyi later, a good chance, to take over as favourite to win the tournament again.
Federer on Tuesday became the quickest qualifier for the end of year Tennis Masters Cup in Houston following his runaway success in 2004. As well as his two grand slams, he has also won three ATP Masters Series titles. Enditem | 
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