5 Jan 2017

Federer loses on return from injury

9:11 am on 5 January 2017

The 17-time tennis grand slam winner, Roger Federer, hit a road bump on his comeback trail from injury, losing to German teenager Alexander Zverev in three sets at the Hopman Cup in Perth.

Federer went down 7-6 6-7 7-6 in the two-and-a-half hour match, as Germany snatched a 1-nil lead in their Group A tie.

Roger Federer

Roger Federer Photo: PHOTOSPORT

That Federer lost to the 19 year-old, ranked 24 in the world, wasn't a complete surprise; he's done that before.

More surprising was that he led the first set 5-2, and served for it at 5-3, but still lost it and ultimately the match.

Zverev now holds a 2-1 record over Federer, downing him in Halle, Germany last year.

Zverev said it was a tough contest.

German tennis player Alexander Zverev during his 2017 Hopman Cup win over Roger Federer.

German tennis player Alexander Zverev during his 2017 Hopman Cup win over Roger Federer. Photo: Photosport

"To beat Roger, you really have to play an unbelievable match, from the first point to the last. I thought we both played really well," Zverev said.

"I always play unbelievably against him. It's always nerve-racking to play against him. I always play in front of a big crowd which helps me a lot as well."

- AAP