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Stuttgart - World number three Roger Federer said his three-set loss to Dominic Thiem in the semi-final of the Stuttgart Open was 'unfortunate' but added that his opponent came up with the right shots when it mattered.
The 22-year-old Thiem, a recent Roland Garros semi-finalist, saved two match points in the second-set tie-break before going on to clinch a 3-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-4 victory on Saturday.
In an interview with the ATP website, the 34-year-old Federer said he was disappointed to have lost after having match points but would work hard on his game and maybe things would go his way next time.
"Any match you lose is disappointing. But to lose when you have a match point means it was a close one. It was a tough match for both of us," said Federer.
"I could have played better at some of the bigger moments. At the same time, Thiem came up with some really good shots when he needed them. It's just unfortunate.
"It's just a matter of working hard and maybe things will go my way next time."
The Swiss star, who has been struggling with injuries of late having had a back injury that ruled him out of Roland Garros recently and in February, he underwent knee surgery, added that he was looking forward to the upcoming challenges in the second half of the tennis season.
"I want to be in a position to talk more about my matches, rather than the way that I am training coming back from injury.
"I'm happy that it is in the past, and I am looking forward to the second half of the season."
Federer will next be in action on Monday at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany, which he has won eight times, as a build up to Wimbledon which starts on June 27.
