Cincinnati: Roger Federer suffered his first defeat before a final for 14 months when he was stunned by rising Briton Andy Murray 7-5 6-4 in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters on Wednesday.
Murray, ranked a career-high 21st this week, became only the second player to beat the world No 1 this year as he broke the Swiss masters serve seven times.
The result meant it was the first time in 18 events that Federer had failed to reach a tournament final.
His last defeat before a final had been to world No 2 Rafael Nadal in the 2005 French Open semis.
Afterwards Federer, who won the Toronto title on Sunday, complained that his schedule was becoming impossible.
"You've got to be a bit realistic. Winning back-to-back Masters Series, 12 matches in 13 days, it's just something impossible," Federer said.
"If they don't start changing, maybe giving the seeds byes, I don't see any point why players should play back-to-back Masters Series anymore."
The eight-times grand slam champion, while sorry to lose after 55 consecutive match wins on North American hardcourts, took the defeat on the chin.
"You always expect a loss once in a while," he said. "When it happens, why be disappointed. I win over 90 percent of my matches. I would love that the streaks go on and on and on, but once in a while it's also good you lose."
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