Roger Federer Handed Shock Loss in Estoril Semifinal

4 Albert Montanes d 1 Roger Federer - 62 76(5)

Ok all you Roger fans before you freak take a deep breath and consider that Roger came upon a crafty dirt-baller on a very grey and heavy day. I'm sure Roger will even look at it that way. But make no mistake, this is a shocking loss - #1 losing to #34. And the effects may just ripple.

I streamed this match and I have to tell you Roger looked extremely sour - nearly from first ball. As the match progressed Roger just kept playing ugly tennis. He managed to get the second set to the tie-break but even then you didn't feel he was going to take charge. In the end it has to be said that 50 unforced errors over two sets is truly unacceptable - given Roger's lofty standards.

At the beginning of the week Roger stated that leaving Estoril without the trophy would be a disaster. I have to tell you that if I'm a player in the locker room hearing that I'm gonna do my damnedest to beat you too. Surely he meant no disrespect but them there is fightin' words.

So. Is this a disaster? Possibly. He still has the Masters 1000 in Madrid, where he is the defending champion, to see if he can't pull his game together. But a quick look at his draw reveals a number of guys in his quarter that have beaten him in the last year: Roddick, Gulbis, Wawrinka and Montanes - three of them damn good clay courters to boot.

It's going to be a 'hold your breath' week for Federer fans. You may want to get an oxygen tank and a bottle of Xanax and hope for the best.