Federer through after test

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Arriving in Melbourne with a comprehensive win against Stanislas Wawrinka under his belt the world number two looked on course for another dominant showing.

But Seppi had other ideas dragging the three-time former champion into a dogfight before eventually going down 6-1 7-6 (7-4) 7-5.

The world number two took the first set of the final match of day one in just 24 minutes but it was a different story in the second, which he eventually won on the tiebreak as Seppi's nerve faltered.

The third set followed a similar path, although Federer did have match point in the 10th game only for Seppi to dig deep to hold his serve.

Seppi then had chance to break the Swiss star, chasing his record-equalling 14th grand slam title, only to fire his forehand into the net.

It was enough to give Federer a sniff and the 27-year-old Swiss held his serve but still could not close out the match as he squandered two further match points on Seppi's serve before a Seppi error handed him victory.

It was the Italian's ninth loss in 16 grand slam appearances and his second to Federer this year after going down against the Swiss star in the second round in Doha.

Federer's next opponent is qualifier Evgeny Korolev who defeated former world number one Carlos Moya 6-3 6-1 7-6 (9-7) in his opening match.