Updated March 02, 2017 08:48:45

Photo: Roger Federer ponders his defeat to qualifier Evgeny Donskoy in the second round of the Dubai Open. (AP: Kamran Jebreili)

Roger Federer has posted a shock three-set loss to world number 116 Evgeny Donskoy in Dubai in his first tournament appearance since winning the Australian Open in January.

Federer, who claimed his 18th major singles title at the Australian Open when he defeated Rafael Nadal in an epic five-set final, lost to Russian qualifier Donskoy 3-6, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-5) in their second-round match.

The Swiss wasted three match points in the second set and led 5-2 in the third before the 26-year-old Donskoy fought back.

Third seed Federer, the former world number one and seven-time champion in Dubai, surged 5-1 ahead in the deciding tie-breaker but Donskoy reeled off six points in a row to secure a remarkable victory.

Federer admitted he had his chances to beat Donskoy.

"I should somehow close it out," he said.

"Don't know how it got away but he did very well, and it's a rough one, for sure."

Donskoy was in shock after defeating Federer.

"I surprised everyone I think today," Donskoy said after his stunning upset.

"Whoever wins against Roger surprises himself, I think."

Earlier, top seed Andy Murray beat Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2, 6-0 to reach the last 16.

Reuters

Topics: tennis, sport, united-arab-emirates

First posted March 02, 2017 08:17:19