Federer 23-game streak is all over

Roger Federer lost for the first time in 24 matches when he was beaten 1-6, 7-6, 6-4 by Slovakian Dominik Hrbaty in the first round of the Cincinnati Masters.

Tim Henman, however, swept aside Younes El Aynaoui, dropping only one game in a straightsets victory.

If Federer had won, the Wimbledon and Australian Open champion, who beat Andy Roddick to win the Toronto Masters on Sunday, would have equalled the 24-match winning streak set by Pete Sampras in 1999.

"It may have been one tournament too much for me to keep winning, so I can't be too disappointed," said a weary Federer.

"I've had a great run, and the positive side to it is I have a few more days off."

It was the world No1's first defeat since losing in the third round of the French Open at the end of May and came only two days after he repeated his Wimbledon final victory over closest rival Roddick with a spectacular performance in Toronto.

"It was a pity I couldn't win in two sets," Federer said after his defeat by Hrbaty. "I thought I played really well for one and a half sets and missed opportunities in the second set and he made me pay.