In a game combining big serves, a one-sided tiebreak, a basket of winners from smashing forehands and laser-speed backhands, the winner was not Roger Federer.

It was Fernando Gonzalez, who pumped his fists in wild celebration as Federer looked on in dazed disappointment. In a lengthy, close and dramatic Red Group tussle at Qi Zhong Tennis Center yesterday, the Chilean Gonzalez produced the biggest upset of the Shanghai Masters Cup by defeating the world No 1 and defending champion 3-6, 7-6 (1), 7-5.

For Federer, it was just the second loss in the Masters Cup since he lost to David Nalbandian in the 2005 final. For Gonzalez, it was the first win after suffering a miserable 10-match losing streak to the Swiss, including the 2007 Australian Open final.

"He is human, he has to lose," Gonzalez beamed after the match.

However, things would not have gone his way if he had not come up with some stunning shots at crucial moments to escape from the cliff's edge five times on break points in the decider. Instead, Federer dropped only one after saving three break points in the third, but that was enough to set the tone as Gonzalez served to win the match.

"In some ways I have regrets and in some ways I don't because I just thought it was ridiculous what kind of shots he came up with," Federer said after the match.

Gonzalez looked like a whole new player yesterday compared to his previous encounters with Federer in which he seemed to run out of power quickly.

Everyone was expecting another quick match after the seventh-seeded Chilean lost the first set in less than half an hour, but he launched an amazing comeback with beautiful all-court play.

His big serves were formidable and his trademark forehand was more fearsome, breaking the balance of the usually solid Federer time after time. His backhand was equally impressive, hitting right into the corner many times as the Swiss delivered inside-out returns.

Federer, who has played with Gonzalez since junior times and is very familiar with the Chilean's explosive play, said it was the consistency that made a difference this time.

"I'm not getting surprised to the point where I don't know the guy, you know. I've played him 10 times.

"But I am amazed at the consistency because this is really what makes the difference between a good forehand and a great forehand. He definitely has one of the best ones out there."

Gonzalez's backhand was just too much to the 12-time Grand Slam winner to take.

"The backhand, that's what killed me today. He drilled me some in the corner, which normally he would never make and he was going cross-court all the time," Federer said. "You've got to give him credit for that."

Gonzalez said he just had a lot of motivation.

"I was really excited when I went to the court," he said. "I think the key of the match was my serve and to not be scared to go for my shots. That's very important."

There was added shame for Federer, who lost a tiebreak in the second set un-stylishly, first 6-0 then 7-1. It was a rare misstep for the Swiss who boasted a 30-9 career record in tiebreaks going into the match.

"I lost the tiebreak in a bad way and never got the edge in the third set which I should have, really should have," he said.

Federer is enduring one of the most difficult stretches of his career - his loss to Gonzalez was his ninth of the year, the most times he has lost in a single year over the past three. This year, more and more players have been able to get the best of him, including Novak Djokovic, Nalbandian and Rafael Nadal.

Federer just shrugged off this growing challenge and denied he was losing his grip on men's tennis.

"Some players or people might think now I am more vulnerable. I disagree, obviously. I am going to hopefully show them again this week and then obviously next year again."

However, his loss proved to be good news for Andy Roddick, another group rival who is in the midst of a 10-match losing streak against him. In yesterday's earlier match, Roddick had few problems in defeating fourth-seeded Nikolay Davydenko in three sets, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

His coach Jimmy Connors is not with him in Shanghai, but Andy Roddick said he is not lonely.

"I don't know about 'lonely'," smiled the American." Even though Jimmy is not here, I am sure he is watching on TV. I will be able to call home and get his thoughts."

Roddick did not show immediate improvement after working with Connors for a year, winning only one title out of two final appearances. Still he plans to partner with Connors for the long term.

(China Daily November 13, 2007)