Federer fails in Paris yet again

Paris: Top-ranked Roger Federer lost to Julien Benneteau of France 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 in the second round of the Paris Masters on Wednesday, continuing his miserable run at the indoor event.

In another match Swede Robin Soderling kept alive his slim hopes of making the World Tour Finals in London by beating Russia's Nikolay Davydenko 6-3 3-6 6-4 in the third round.

World No 7 Davydenko, seeded sixth in a tournament he won in 2006, would have made sure of entering the November 22-29 season's finale featuring the world's top eight players had he reached the quarters.

Federer, a 15-time Grand Slam champion still has never been further than the quarterfinals in seven appearances.

"He played incredible at the end. Julien went out and got the victory," said Federer, who refused to give excuses. "I definitely had chances. I missed them. I feel fine physically, and mentally I was fresh to do really well here."

Federer's exit capped a dramatic day at the Bercy arena, where Rafael Nadal saved five match points to beat Spanish compatriot Nicolas Almagro, and former three-time champion Marat Safin bid farewell to the tennis circuit.

Federer took the first set when Benneteau's backhand return hit the net, but the Frenchman found his range in the second set and dominated the tiebreaker, levelling the match with a low return that landed just inside the baseline.

Boosted by the first set he'd taken off Federer in three matches, Benneteau forced mistakes on Federer's backhand. Benneteau broke early and then held to lead 3-1.

Federer missed his chance in the fifth game when Benneteau saved two break points, and then held for 4-2. Benneteau hit a two-handed crosscourt winner past Federer to set up two match points, acing the first one and falling to the floor in tears.