That position was based on his early season form on clay, when he won four titles, including beating Gustavo Kuerten in the Masters Series event in Rome in the build-up to Roland Garros.

BBC: Juan Carlos Ferrero

But he has been surpassed by Rafael Nadal on the list of all-time Masters Series titles after the Spaniard won in Rome to match record-holder Andre Agassi on 17.

CNN: Federer registers first clay win of 2010

The Monte Carlo resident made it to final of the Madrid Masters Series event and the last four of the Rome and Toronto Masters, as well as reaching at least the semi-finals stages in five other tournaments.

BBC: Jiri Novak

Another final in the Masters Series at Indian Wells, before destroying Gustavo Kuerten and Marat Safin on his way to the Masters title in Rome finished off an excellent start to the year.

BBC: Roger Federer