Roger Federer rolled back time last season, but looked like he was feeling all of his 33 years as he was dramatically ousted from the Australian Open.
Facing Andreas Seppi, the world number 46 who he had beaten 10 out of 10 times previously, Federer slumped to a 6-4 7-6 4-6 7-6 defeat in a shade under three hours on the Rod Laver Arena.
The final point, a stunning forehand down the line on the run, was handed down from the Gods to the largely uncelebrated Italian, a nearly man who has only briefly infiltrated the top 20 in his career.
He took advantage of an unusually sluggish and tetchy Federer, who had been scheduled to meet Andy Murray in the quarter final stage in what has looked the toughest part of the draw.
