Federer upbeat despite upset

Roger Federer of Switzerland serves to Ivo Karlovic of Croatia during the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters at Lindner Family Tennis Center on July 31, 2008 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)Photo Gallery>>(BEIJING, August 5) -- Current World No. 1 Roger Federer hopes to return to top form at the Beijing Olympics Men's Tennis event despite another shock loss to Croat Ivo Karlovic at the Cincinnati Masters on Thursday.

Karlovic powered 22 aces and several service winners to overcome the Swiss star 7-6 (8), 4-6 and 6-7 (7), who had prevailed in all six of their previous meetings.

"This year was hard, I guess, with the start of the year. But nevertheless, I still think it's been a good year. I just hope I can show it now at the Olympics and the U.S. Open," said Federer, who will be playing his third Olympics.

"I'm looking forward for the next two tournaments. Those are really the ones that can make this season from a good one to a great one," he said.

Federer is serving out his last two weeks at the top of the world rankings. His rival Raphael Nadal earned sufficient points to seize the World No. 1 position when he defeated Ecuadorian veteran Nicolas Lapentti in the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati event.

Nadal will have to wait until Aug. 18, when the ATF recalculates this year's points, to officially usurp Federer, meaning the latter's consecutive stay at the top ends at a whopping 237 weeks.

Federer and the Spaniard have held the top two spots since July 25, 2005.