Federer vows to come back stronger as eight-year reign ends (Roundup)

By Bill Scott Jun 30, 2010, 17:16 GMT

London - Six-times Wimbledon champion Roger Federer crashed out of Wimbledon on Wednesday losing in four sets to Czech, Tomas Berdych.

It was the first time Federer had gone out before the final, since he lost in the first-round to Mario Ancic in 2002. It ended his dream of a record-equalling seventh Wimbledon win for another year.

Federer said he was off on an unusually early summer holiday but vowed to return stronger next year after the 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 defeat.

He said: 'I can't wait for Paris and Wimbledon to come around next year again, that's for sure.

'Obviously people think quarters is shocking, but people would die to play in quarter-final stages of a Grand Slam.

'Today I was struggling physically, and with my game. I'm looking forward to a rest, and then to attack again in North America (in August, prior to the US Open).'

Since that defeat to Ancic in 2002, Federer had won five straight titles and lost a five-set 2008 final to Rafael Nadal before storming back to regain his crown last year against Andy Roddick.

On his physical problems, Federer added: 'I don't think I played poorly, but he (Berdych) really went for it. That's how he plays. He was more consistent and I was not able to defend well enough.

'I had some small back and leg issues. They didn't allow me to play the way I wanted.

'I'm looking forward to some rest. When you're hurting you don't feel as comfortable and you can't concentrate on each point because you do feel the pain.' The loss to Berdych leaves Federer stalled on the all-time best mark of 16 Grand Slam titles after beating Andy Murray for the Australian Open crown in January.

Berdych, who also beat Federer in their last meeting exactly three months ago on hardcourt in the Miami quarter-finals - it ended an eight-match Federer win streak in the series - will next play Serb third seed Novak Djokovic, who put out Taiwan surprise package Lu Yen-Hsun, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

'It's really tough to say how I'm feeling now,' said the Czech. 'It's amazing to play such a great player as Roger and come out as the winner. 'Serving out the match was the toughest game I've ever played,' he said after he saved a match point with a chipped backhand winner.

Berdych then saved a break point and secured another match point, which he converted with a forehand winner to the corner wrapping-up the win in 95 minutes.

Djokovic reached the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time since 2007 with his win over Lu, who upset three-time finalist Andy Roddick in the fourth round.

In the bottom of the draw, second seed Nadal was playing two-time French Open finalist Robin Soderling of Sweden while Brit Andy Murray, the number four, was taking victories against his last 20 French opponents into his match with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.