rogerfederer.com - Roger out in Shanghai after thriller

Roger out in Shanghai after thriller

Roger's quest for a fifth title at the Masters Cup was ended today. Our champ lost the extraordinary final group match 6-4, 6-7(3) 5-7 to Briton Andy Murray.

"I don't quit once I step on court. Guess you got to drill me one in the eye, then maybe. But otherwise I don't quit," he said. "The body was hurting, you know. Normally a best-of-three match is peanuts. So it was a pity I couldn't handle it today."

Roger started off well in the first set, attacking Murray's second serve and breaking him to take a 3-1 lead. The Briton's failed drop-shot attempt handed Roger the set 6-4. In the second set, Murray took a 5-2 lead, but Roger made an awesome comeback to 6-6. But Murray then went on to clinch the tie-break that followed 7-3.

Before the start of the final set, Roger received treatment on his lower back. He fell behind at first, but improved rapidly as the set progressed, and won four games in a row to take a temporary lead. Unfortanately he gave it away, with Murray making it all clear with his ninth match-ball.

Another Masters Cup win would have put Roger on par with Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras with five Masters Cup titles.

"It's been a good year, you know," Roger said. "Tough to start off with. Tough to end. But I think it gives me the opportunity to start over all new again next year."