Chardy upsets Federer at Rome Masters

ROME: Jeremy Chardy caught new father Roger Federer on the hop at a wind-blown ATP-WTA Rome Masters on Wednesday, winning their second round tie 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6).

The upset loss, in just over two hours, came barely a week after the 32-year-old Federer became father to his second set of twins.

The fourth-seeded Swiss, who has never won the Rome title, decided to come and have a go on the clay of the Foro Italico anyway after consulting with wife Mirka and his team.

With him in Rome was part-time coaching consultant Stefan Edberg. Conditions were brutal for a match played amid great bursts of red clay blowing regularly through the air.

Federer swept the opening set but began to fade in the second as a charged-up Chardy made his move. (AFP)