US Open 2013: Roger Federer crashes out; David Ferrer and Rafael Nadal through to quarters

Roger Federer waves to the crowd after being defeated by Tommy Robredo in the fourth round of the men’s singles of the 2013 US Open on September 2, 2013. (Getty Images)

Roger Federer crashed out of the US Open after a straight sets loss to Tommy Robredo in the round of 16.

The 32-year-old Swiss, who lost in the second round of Wimbledon, lost to the Spaniard 6-7 (3), 3-6, 4-6 in two hours and 24 minutes on the Louis Armstrong Stadium. The match was originally scheduled on Arthur Ashe Stadium but was moved after a near five-hour rain delay.

This is the first time since Federer’s 2004 win at Flushing Meadows that he has lost before the quarterfinal stage. It also means the much-anticipated quarterfinal clash with his nemesis Rafael Nadal will not happen, as Robredo progressed to his first US Open quarterfinal.

Robredo will take on his countryman instead, after the 12-time Grand Slam champion overcame an early scare to defeat Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 in four sets in three hours, 12 minutes.

“I kind of feel like I beat myself, without taking any credit away from Tommy,” Federer said.

“Clearly he was making sure he was making many balls. It was up to me to make the difference and I couldn’t. I kind of self destructed, which is very disappointing, especially on a quicker court. Your serve helps you out. You’re going to make the difference somewhere. I just couldn’t do it.  It was a frustrating performance today”.

This is also the first ever time Federer has lost to Robredo, having won all of their previous 10 meetings.

In another match from the lower half of the draw, fourth seed David Ferrer ousted Janko Tipsarevic, the 18th seed, who was vying for a third consecutive quarterfinal appearance.

Ferrer, who ended Tipsarevic’s quest last year too, came out on top 7-6 (2), 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3) and is into his eighth consecutive quarterfinal at a Grand Slam. He will face Frenchman Richard Gasquet, who defeated Milos Raonic, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4), 2-6, 7-6 (9), 7-5 in four hours and 40 minutes. Gasquet, seeded eighth, denied Raonic the chance to reach his first quarterfinal appearance at a Grand Slam.