Federer beaten at Paribas Masters

PARIS, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Roger Federer lost 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 to Frenchman Julien Benneteau Wednesday at the Paribas Masters tennis tournament at Paris.

Federer, the tournament's top seed, lost despite hitting 14 service aces, and the unseeded Benneteau failing to create any break-point chances in the first two sets.

"It's magic," said an elated Benneteau. "This memory will stay forever in me."

Also, second-seeded Rafael Nadal eased past fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 3-6, 7-6 (7-2), 7-5 after saving five match points in the second set, and U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina, the fifth seed, was a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 winner over former world No. 1 Marat Safin, who is retiring.

Other winners were French Open runner-up Robin Soderling; No. 3 seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia; No. 4 Andy Murray of Scotland; No. 10 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile, No. 12 Marin Cilic, No. 15 Gael Monfils, and No. 13 Radek Stepanek.