(July 25, 2013) -- Despite being treated to a hero's welcome earlier in the week, top seed and local favorite
Roger Federer exited the Credit Agricole Suisse Open Gstaad after losing his second round match.
Federer faced off against Germany's
Daniel Brands, who he defeated last week in Hamburg. But it was Brands who looked sharper from the start as he secured the first break of serve to go up 4-2.
Brands wiped away several break points against him on the strength of stellar serving. With his sixth ace, Brands took the set 6-3.
Federer never looked fully comfortable on court and often would serve and volley to make the points shorter. But that tactic didn't help as Federer netted two volleys in row to hand Brands an early break to open the second set.
Brands, who hit 78% first serves throughout the match, did not waver when again faced with three more break points against him later in the set. Brands saved all three and soon served for the match at 5-4.
The 26-year-old Brands soon closed out the 6-3, 6-4 win in just 65 minutes, leaving the partisan crowd stunned as Federer walked off court. The victory marked Brands' fourth win over a top 10 opponent in his career.
"I served well and put pressure on him from the very beginning. It helped that I already played him in Hamburg last week," Brands said afterwards to ATP.com.
Federer, who suffered back spasms last week in Hamburg, later said he was unsure at first if he would play against Brands today before deciding to go ahead. Federer said his back condition did not get worse during the match and again expressed happiness that he made the trip back to Gstaad.
"I’m still happy that I came to Gstaad this week. It was great being back here and the crowd gave me a fantastic welcome," Federer said.
Brands will next face Romania's
Victor Hanescu, who advanced over No. 8 seed
Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6(2), 3-2 after Bautista Agut retired due to injury.
Other winners on the day included
Robin Haase, who upset No. 3 seed
Janko Tipsarevic 6-2, 6-2.
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