SHANGHAI: Roger Federer joins Novak Djokovic in the third round of the Shanghai Masters after winning by the skin of his teeth Wednesday, while Rafael Nadal crashed on a day of shocks. World number three Federer will unseat second-placed Nadal in the ATP rankings on the back of his incredible victory.

The Swiss player saved five match points, including three at a third set tie-break, before converting his first chance to seal a gripping 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory against Leonardo Mayer. The 17-times Grand Slam winner needed to draw on all his years of experience to remain level-headed as he closed out the game, leaving his Argentine opponent distraught as he trudged off the court. Second seed Nadal, meanwhile, battled the early stages of appendicitis and a ruthless Feliciano Lopez in his 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) opening game loss.