ROGER FEDERER SUFFERED a shock loss to Italy’s Andreas Seppi in the Australian Open third round on Friday, breaking a streak of 11 consecutive semi-finals at the event.

The Swiss second seed’s exit was also his earliest at Melbourne Park since 2001, when he lost to Arnaud Clement.

Seppi claimed his first ever win over Federer in 11 meetings with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 7-6 (7-5) victory at the Rod Laver Arena,  the Italian finishing with 50 winners and 40 unforced errors in a stunning performance.

It came as a surprise when Seppi broke Federer to love in the ninth game of the match, the Swiss star’s three unforced errors and a double fault proving costly.

Indeed, Federer finished the opening set with 17 unforced errors, including 12 off the forehand side.

While the 33-year old had Seppi under pressure early in the second set, he was broken in the third game but this time Federer broke straight back as his Italian opponent put a forehand into the net.

The ninth game of the set would be good for Seppi once more.

Federer was on top of a rally as he looked to save a second break point but he let what would have been an easy volley go – only to see the ball hit the line.

Again though, the response was immediate as Federer levelled for 5-5, courtesy of a dead net cord on break point.

Federer held to love to lead 6-5 before Seppi forced a tie-break – which the latter came from 4-1 down to win.

While the world number two took the third set, he would once again lose a tie-break in the fourth to hand Seppi the biggest win of his career, the Italian finishing the match with this brilliant effort:
https://vine.co/v/OITA7pl7dzF

Vine: Winners Choice Sports

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