Roger Federer loses to Nikoloz Basilashvili in the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open having beaten Dan Evans in his first match in 14 months on Wednesday
Thursday 11 March 2021 18:24, UK
Roger Federer's comeback from injury ended in the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open on Thursday as he was beaten by Nikoloz Basilashvili.
The 39-year-old had marked his return to the court after 14 months out with a knee problem on Wednesday by overcoming Britain's Dan Evans in three sets.
But the 20-time Grand Slam champion was unable to secure a second win in as many days as Basilashvili completed a 3-6 6-1 7-5 victory.
Basilashvili, ranked 42 in the world, saved a match point against a weary-looking Federer in the 10th game of the deciding set, before breaking his Swiss opponent in the ensuing game, and seeing out the match in one hour and 50 minutes.
"It is unbelievable because he is one of the greatest of all time," said Georgian Basilashvili, 29, following his last-eight triumph. "To play him means so much to me.
"I am very happy he came back to play, and to win against him is a dream come true. He was always my idol, and I am sure he is to many tennis players and fans, so I am unbelievably happy."
Basilashvili will play Taylor Fritz for a place in the final in Doha following the American's 5-7 6-3 7-5 win against Denis Shapovalov.
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