rogerfederer.com - Not a good start

Not a good start

Roger did not catch a good start at the Masters Cup today, losing 6-4, 4-6, 3-6 to France's Gilles Simon in his first round-robin match.

Our champ was sublime in the opening set but lost his way in the next two as Simon took control. Simon, who got his ticket for the season finale when world number one Rafael Nadal withdrew injured, targeted our top seed's backhand with his powerful groundstrokes and sealed his reward with an ace after just over two hours. It was Roger's 14th defeat - and second to Simon - this season. A year ago, Roger faced the same scenario, facing a defeat against Fernando Gonzalez, but then came back to clinch his second consecutive title and fourth overall.

In the second match of the day Andy Murray plays Andy Roddick.