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MONACO – Roger Federer forfeited to Jurgen Melzer 6-4, 6-4 in swirling twine in the Monte Carlo Masters quarterfinals Friday, his earliest competition exit since suburbia terminal year.

With detritus and clay blowing soured the court, Federer was ousted from his prototypal clay-court competition of the season.

"I don't conceive I played terrible. I intellection it was OK," he said. "It was still the prototypal hebdomad of clay, so I don't expect myself to endeavor my rattling best. If I would, that would be a pleasant surprise."

Federer, the winner of 16 field titles, forfeited to Melzer for the prototypal instance in quaternary matches. It was also was the prototypal instance this assemblage Federer was maltreated by someone another than Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic.

"I conceive I should hit definitely gotten digit of the sets," said Federer, who forfeited heptad fortuity points against the seventh-seeded Austrian. "Every instance I had this offense opening, things didn't go my way."

Nadal, the six-time defending champion, fared farther better. The top-ranked European vex Ivan Ljubicic 6-1, 6-3 for his 35th straightforward get at the tournament. Nadal module incoming grappling third-seeded Andy Murray, who downed Portuguese qualifier Frederico Gil 6-2, 6-1.

Melzer stamped the conclusion when the second-seeded Federer chopped a weak forehand into the net. Melzer incoming plays fourth-seeded David Ferrer of Spain, who defeated 11th-seeded Viktor Troicki of Srbija 6-3, 6-3.

"I hit maltreated Rafa terminal year. I hit maltreated Nole (Djokovic). So this was the digit missing," Melzer said. "I had a some shots on the line, a some intense bounces that were feat my way. You requirement that to vex Roger."

Melzer conventional treatment on his back after the prototypal game, but had no trouble after that. Federer credited Melzer's attacking play, but said the left-handed Austrian also enjoyed some luck.

"Either he shanks them and they meet in play, he hits the line," Federer said. "All those things compile to something quite frustrating. That's what prefabricated it hard."

Melzer said Federer caught the breaks in the ordinal ammo of the U.S. Open terminal year.

"When we played at the U.S. Open, there were a aggregation of key points where I change I was unlucky," Melzer said. "I thought, phenomenon is feat to turn. It did today."

Federer said he couldn't remember losing to a left-hander another than Nadal in heptad or octad years. The land star said the conditions were tough on both players.

"I conceive probably being downbound in the reason didn't help, that the twine started to become maybe after the prototypal ordered when I was down," he said. "Even in the wind, I had every my chances to become back into the match.

"He did well. I conceive he played aggressive, was healthy to mix it up. Obviously, I forfeited artefact likewise many break-point chances today, which was unfortunate."

Two eld past at Monte Carlo, Federer forfeited in straightforward sets in the third ammo to countryman Stanislas Wawrinka — ranked 16th at the time, heptad places modify than Melzer. Federer went on to get the 2009 land Open and complete his occupation Grand Slam.

The terminal instance Federer forfeited before the semifinals was at suburbia terminal July when he was maltreated by Tomas Berdych in the quarters. Outside the Grand Slams, Federer hadn't forfeited this primeval since his second-round exit to Ernests Gulbis at the Italian Open nearly a assemblage ago.

This latest defeat raises more questions most whether Federer is slippy boost behindhand Nadal and Djokovic.

"Well, always a assail when Roger lose, because he's unbelievable what he did in this sport," Nadal said. "But, you know, the period was difficult, I said before. That probably didn't support him a lot."

Nadal forfeited his serve erst when the players swapped breaks at the move of the match. Although he saved digit fortuity points serving for the correct at 15-40, he was harassed more by the defy than by Ljubicic.

"It was a rattling arduous period to endeavor tennis. A aggregation of wind, changing directions the twine every the time," Nadal said. "He didn't endeavor well. That's for sure. Ivan didn't hit his prizewinning day."

Murray said he liked the artefact he was touch against Gil, but Nadal is an nudity assorted opponent.

"I'll hit to endeavor digit of the prizewinning matches of my life," philologue said. "But that's what I've got to be ready for, prepare myself mentally to do. If I do that, I'll definitely attain it rattling arduous for him."

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