(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-03-05 10:06

LONDON - For a man who is usually theepitome of a cool and collected champion, Roger Federer is clearly rattled.

Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts after he misses a ball against Andy Murray from Great Britain during the 1st round of Dubai Tennis Championship in Dubai, Monday, March 3, 2008. [Agencies]

The last time the Swiss had failed to win a tournament within the first two months of a season was in 2000 - and that when his trophy haul totalled zero.

Monday's first-round defeat by Andy Murray in the DubaiChampionships, where he had been the defending champion, meant he had suffered back-to-back losses for the second time in fourmonths.

After his bid to retain his Australian Open title was derailed by Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals in January, Federer had expected to return to the winner's circle this week.

But his strategy of cutting his schedule to preserve his health and fitness for the more important titles seems to be backfiring.

Whereas most of his rivals have already competed in three or four tournaments this year before arriving in the Middle East, Federer was playing in only his second event.

"My expectations are not sky-high at this point," the 26-year-old, who has spent a record 214 consecutive weeks at the top of the world rankings, said on Monday.

"Obviously I haven't played much so you don't go in with any expectations."  

But the Swiss master is clearly not used to being on a losing run.

After failing to earn even a break-point during his humbling by Murray, Federer's frustrations spilled over during the postmatch conference and he criticised the 20-year-old Briton's tactics.

"I don't think he's changed his game a whole lot since I played him in the Bangkok final (in 2005)," the Swiss saidfollowing the 6-7 6-3 6-4 defeat.

"Not that I'm disappointed but I really would have thought he would have changed it in some ways."

"He tends to wait a lot for the mistakes of the opponent."