(CNN) — Roger Federer has endured his fastest defeat in 16 years after crashing out of the Cincinnati Masters Thursday.
Even the 20-time grand slam champion was roundly defeated 6-3 6-4 by Russian qualifier Andrey Rublev in just 62 minutes.
Federer, who has won this event seven times before, was facing his 21-year-old opponent for the very first time and the Swiss star said he’d been impressed with the strength of this Russian’s match.
“He was super clean. Defense, offense, serving nicely,” Federer said of his opponent after the game.
“Didn’t give me anything. He was. It was hard for me personally, but an fantastic match .”
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Federer eyes US Open
Despite the loss, Federer said he was pleased to have come through the Cincinnati Pros accident free and has turned his focus to the US Open later this season.
The world No. 3 is seeking to clinch his sixth title at Flushing Meadows, his first since 2008.
“I worked very hard coming into Cincinnati and in that small season we had since Wimbledon, therefore that I can maybe also utilize a couple of days off,” the 38-year-old added.
“I’m going to instruct, do precisely what I want to do to the US Open and that is it. It is rather straightforward, but I’ve got to work hard”
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‘psychological win’
Meanwhile, Rublev will be looking to build in an impressive breakthrough year that has now seen him beat two top-five players — another being world No. 4 Dominic Thiem.
The entire world. No 70 was clearly emotional after defeating Federer and can now look forward to some quarterfinal match up with fellow Russian Daniil Medvedev.
“It’s the most important and most emotional win,” said Rublev, before turning his attention to praising Federer.
“I can not imagine daily just how much pressure you have. I suggest, to know that you are Roger and everyone is watching you and you have to prove it each single day, and he is doing this, I don’t know for a lot of decades. I mean, this really is something, I don’t understand, unreal.”
READ: Andy Murray loses first singles match because hip operation
Murray from US Open
Meanwhile, he three-time grand slam champion Andy Murray confirmed he won’t be participate at this year’s US Open at the doubles as he continues his return from hip surgery.
The 32-year-old had ruled himself from playing the singles in Flushing Meadows but has confirmed he’ll miss the contest entirely.
“I’m not likely to play doubles at the US Open. My goal is to get back playing at the level that I want to on the singles court, and I’ve determined I need to concentrate all my energies on that right today,” Murray told BBC Sport.

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