Canas snaps Federer's 41-match winning streak

Mar 12, 2007, 16:05 GMT

Indian Wells, CA - Roger Federer's amazing 41-match winning streak came to a halt Sunday when Argentine Guillermo Canas pulled off a 7-5, 6-2 victory over the Super Swiss in the second round at the $3.285 million Pacific Life Open -- the first ATP Masters Series event of the year.

Canas, who has won 11 of 13 matches this year, not only ended Federer's hopes of a fourth straight Pac Life title, but he also sent the world's No. 1 player to his first defeat since August 16 of last year. That's when Federer fell to Andy Murray in the second round of the ATP Masters Series in Cincinnati.

Federer had won seven straight finals, one shy of the record set by Bjorn Borg, Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe. Federer is still an incredible 259-16 since the start of 2004. He would have set a new Open Era record (since 1968) for the longest winning streak (47 matches) if he had captured the title. Guillermo Vilas currently holds the record of 46 matches.

The victory by Canas was more impressive considering he returned last September from a 15-month drug suspension. Believe it or not, Canas is 2-1 lifetime against Federer, and that includes a victory in Toronto in 2002.

Canas broke Federer's serve twice in each set and didn't face a break point in the second.

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