In the ancient Grand Slam affray of the year, Federer absent in the fourth annular of the Australian Open to David Nalbandian. He afresh won two adamantine abbey tournaments in Marseille and Dubai afore accomplishment agitated in ancient annular matches at the Masters Series tournaments in Indian Wells and Key Biscayne. On clay, Federer won the affray in Munich, was the runner-up at the Masters Series affray in Rome, and absent in the third annular of the Masters Series affray in Hamburg. Federer was seeded fifth at the French Open but absent to Luis Horna in the ancient round. Federer was best on grass in 2003, adequate both of the grass abbey tournaments he played. A accomplishment abut Nicolas Kiefer in the final of the affray in Halle was followed by his ancient Grand Slam singles appellation at Wimbledon. He defeated Andy Roddick in the semi-finals and Mark Philippoussis in the final and absent abandoned one set during the tournament, to Mardy Fish in the third round. During the North American summertime adamantine abbey analysis however, Federer absent to Roddick in the semi-finals of the Masters Series affray in Montreal and to David Nalbandian in the added annular of the Masters Series affray in Cincinnati and the US Open. During the autumn, Federer played four afterwards calm tournaments in Europe. He won the affray in Vienna but bootless to adeptness the finals of the affray in his home affray of Basel and the Masters Series tournaments in Madrid and Paris. To end the year, Federer won his ancient anytime Tennis Masters Cup appellation in Houston. As the third-seeded player, he defeated Andre Agassi, Nalbandian, and Ferrero during the annular robin animosity afore advance World No. 1 Andy Roddick in the semi-finals and Andre Agassi in the final. Federer challenged for the top baronial during 2003, finishing the year at World No. 2, above aback Roddick and above avant-garde of Juan Carlos Ferrero.[46]
