Ailing Federer ousted by Thiem in Rome

AFP, ROME: Swiss third seed Roger Federer's Rome Masters bid ended with a 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 third round defeat to Austrian 13th seed Dominic Thiem on Thursday.
Federer, who withdrew last week from Madrid with back pain, admitted Wednesday he had been surprised to get past second round opponent Alexander Zverev in straight sets.
Rome marks only the fourth tournament of the season for Federer, who underwent knee surgery in early February, the first operation of his career.
The 17-time Grand Slam champion only decided to face Thiem at the last minute on Central Court, and the Austrian capitalised to finish off an obviously ailing Federer in 1hr 18mins.
Federer admitted he was happy to exit the tournament, which he has never won, because it will give him time to consider his options as he tries to regain full fitness ahead of next month's French Open at Roland Garros.
He said he will now consult his team about whether to remain in Italy, travel to France or return home to Switzerland.
But as for competing in Rome, Federer said: "My body's just not ready... I'm not going to go into specifics, because I'm not in the mood.
"Ten days before (the) Monaco (tournament), I trained really well on clay and I thought it would give me a good chance in Paris."

Ailing Federer ousted by Thiem in Rome

AFP, ROME: Swiss third seed Roger Federers Rome Masters bid ended with a 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 third round defeat to Austrian 13th seed Dominic Thiem on Thursday. Federer, who withdrew last week from Madrid with back pain, admitted Wednesday he had been surprised to get past second round opponent Alexander Zverev in straight sets. Rome marks only the fourth tournament of the season for Federer, who underwent knee surgery in early February, the first operation of his career. The 17-time Grand Slam champion only decided to face Thiem at the last minute on Central Court, and the Austrian capitalised to finish off an obviously ailing Federer in 1hr 18mins. Federer admitted he was happy to exit the tournament, which he has never won, because it will give him time to consider his options as he tries to regain full fitness ahead of next months French Open at Roland Garros. He said he will now consult his team about whether to remain in Italy, travel to France or return home to Switzerland. But as for competing in Rome, Federer said: My bodys just not ready... Im not going to go into specifics, because Im not in the mood. Ten days before (the) Monaco (tournament), I trained really well on clay and I thought it would give me a good chance in Paris.