Federer disappointed as US Open run comes to abrupt halt

Roger Federer struggled to hide his disappointment after his bid for a first US Open title since 2008 ended abruptly with a five-set loss to Grigor Dimitrov in the quarter-finals.

The 38-year-old Swiss had defeated Dimitrov in all seven previous meetings but surrendered a two sets to one lead before sliding to a 3-6 6-4 3-6 6-4 6-2 defeat on Tuesday.

Federer, a five-time US Open champion, left the court for a private medical timeout to treat his upper back near his neck before the final set but refused to blame injury as the reason for his exit.

"I felt it the whole time. I was able to play with it. My bad not to win," Federer said.

"This is Grigor's moment and not my body's moment, so it's OK.

"It's how it goes. I tried my best. By far not too bad to give up or anything. Grigor was able to put me away. I fought with what I had."
"It's just a missed opportunity to some extent that you're in the lead, you can get through, you have two days off after. It was looking good. But got to take the losses. They're part of the game."
- No crystal ball -
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Asked whether he felt he would have further chances to add to his record haul of 20 men's Grand Slam singles title, Federer replied: "I don't have the crystal ball."