Federer, desperate to recapture his best form, went into the match boasting an overwhelming 6-1 record against the flamboyant Frenchman but although he showed flashes of his inspiration, he went down 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3.

It follows a fourth-round loss at the US Open and a second-round exit at Wimbledon to players he would have brushed aside at his peak, results that have contributed to a slide to number seven in the rankings.