Federer sent packing by Stepanek, Blake out

By Paul Virgo

ROME (Reuters) - Roger Federer's preparations for the French Open suffered a further blow when he was beaten in straight sets in the quarter-finals of the Rome Masters by unseeded Czech Radek Stepanek on Friday.

The world number one, struggling for consistency on clay ahead of the year's second Grand Slam later this month, was the second big gun of the day to fall to an unseeded player after his Swiss compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka won an entertaining tussle with American James Blake 6-7 7-6 6-1.

The tournament had already lost world number two Rafael Nadal on Wednesday and fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko on Thursday.

Federer was comfortable on his service games in the first set of the quarter-final, taking four to love, but he failed to force any break points. Stepanek wrapped up the ensuing tiebreak 7-4 with an ace as the Swiss lost a set for the first time in the tournament.

A fired-up Stepanek saved two break points in the first game of the second set and then snapped the top seed's serve immediately after.

The Swiss broke back in the seventh, only to surrender his serve again the following game, a wild shot giving away the vital point. He dragged himself back in contention two games later, the counter-break coming courtesy of a beautiful backhand volley.

HELD NERVE