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.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
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