Wawrinka knocks out Federer at Monaco tennis

Roger Federer was free to enjoy the rest of his honeymoon Thursday after being knocked out of the rain-lashed Monte Carlo Masters by compatriot, and Olympic gold medal-winning partner, Stanislas Wawrinka.

World number two Federer, without a title in 2009 and desperately short of form and confidence, went down 6-4, 7-5 to the 13th seed in the third round.

It was Wawrinka's first victory in three attempts over the 13-time Grand Slam title winner who had lost the last three finals here to Rafael Nadal.

"My forehand was hurting me in the beginning. I was making a few too many errors," said a subdued Federer after a day when start of play had been delayed by five hours because of heavy rain.

"That kind of gave him the advantage. It was unfortunate, but I thought Stan played well."

The defeat in just under two hours was Federer's earliest on clay since the French Open third round in 2004 against Gustavo Kuerten.

He now has a week to prepare for the Rome Masters and said he will concentrate on whipping his serve into decent shape.

"I haven't served my best throughout the season, so I have to make sure I get my serve going well for me because I just don't hit the spots when I really want to.

"Not that I expect 10 aces a set here on this type of heavy clay, but I just think it's something I need to work on, make sure my timing gets right, my footwork gets right, and my forehand, that I use it the right way."

Federer, who got married to long-time girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec at the weekend, had originally decided to skip this event, but accepted a late wildcard in the hope of finding his claycourt game in the run-up to the French Open.

Top seed Nadal was taking on Ecuador qualifier Nicolas Lapentti later Thursday, but his third round tie was delayed as the skies opened with a thunder and hailstorm only minutes after Federer and Wawrinka had left the show court.

In the only other matches completed, Spain's seventh seed Fernando Verdasco crushed compatriot David Ferrer, the 10th seed, 6-2, 6-1 while German qualifier Andreas Beck defeated Juan Monaco of Argentina 3-6, 6-2, 7-5.

Wawrinka will line up against Beck after earning what he called the best win of his career.

"I played a great match, but it's always difficult to play against a good friend. You're always different on court," said the 13th seed.

"Today I think I was playing better. It was his only first tournament, he came only two day before the tournament, so it's not easy to play great on clay court.

"I know Beck a little bit. I haven't seen him here, but I know he's talented and he hits hard. He's a left-hander and I must be solid against him."

British fourth seed Andy Murray was a set ahead of Italian qualifier Fabio Fognini when his match was also halted because of the rain.





Dancers from Ensemble of the Turkish state opera and ballet perform the play "Rose Garden" during the Skopje Dance Festival. AFP/Robert Atanasovski

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