5 matches in recent times where Roger Federer lost after winning the first set

Despite Roger Federer having had such an illustrious career, he has occasionally faced some lopsided defeats where he's had no answer to the opponent's power or skill. However, what stings even more is a loss where he had a chance to wrap things up, but let his opponent get back into the match and eventually win it.

In recent times, there have been quite a few matches where Federer won the first set but couldn't finish the job, ultimately going on to lose in three sets. Here is a list of those matches.

1. Roger Federer vs Dominic Thiem (Indian Wells 2019 final)

After a successful Dubai campaign, Federer looked confident right from the start of the tournament and didn't lose a set till the final. Rafael Nadal pulled out from the semis and most people thought that was the cue that Federer would win the tournament.

The feeling was accentuated when the Swiss won the first set against Dominic Thiem in comfortable fashion, by the margin of 6-3. But Thiem showed grit and some powerful ground-strokes in the second set, winning it 6-3.

The third set was tighter but Federer's ill-timed drop shots meant he lost the 11th game on his serve and eventually the match 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.

2. Roger Federer vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (2019 Australian Open 4th round)

One of the most entertaining matches of the year so far, this encounter witnessed Federer being beaten by a game style similar to his but with a little more power and accuracy.

Federer used all his experience to win the first set in a tie-breaker. But that didn't deter Tsitsipas from winning the next three sets as he defeated Federer 6-7, 7-6, 7-5, 7-6.

They say that numbers lie, but the scores here reveal the closeness of this particular contest.

3. Roger Federer vs John Millman (2018 US Open 4th round)

2018 US Open - Day 8

This was probably the only Federer loss where he bowed out in a bizarre fashion and looked as though he wanted to leave the court as soon as possible. During the post-match press conference, Roger Federer said that he couldn't find his rhythm as the temperature in Arthur Ashe stadium was scorching.

But credit shouldn't be taken away from Millman as he fought against all odds to beat Federer 3-6, 7-5, 7-6, 7-6.

4. Roger Federer vs Kevin Anderson (2018 Wimbledon quarter-final)

If there is any match in recent times that every Federer fan would like to forget, it would be the Wimbledon quarter-final match against Kevin Anderson.

Federer took a comfortable two-set lead before falling to the giant 2-6, 6-7, 7-5, 6-4, 13-11. It almost felt a little monotonous in the last set where each player tried to hold and the match seemed likely to continue forever.

But once again, it was Federer who lost his serve and with it the match.

5. Roger Federer vs Thanasi Kokkinakkis (2018 Miami Open)

After an enthralling Indian Wells final against Juan Martin del Potro, Federer looked physically spent and he lost in the second round of Miami to the Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Federer took the first set comfortably but lost his shape in second, and Kokkinakis took charge from there on. He defeated Federer 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 to register his career's first win against a top 10 player.