Federer crashes out of Monte Carlo
Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:25
The world number two, who has lost in the final to Rafael Nadal at the Monte-Carlo Country Club for the previous three years, was always second best in a 6-4 7-5 loss.
Federer has failed to lift himself after a difficult 2008 and came into the clay season without a title to his name since last summer’s US Open.
Wawrinka, who partnered Federer to gold in the doubles at the Beijing Olympics, secured the crucial break in the 11th game of the second set and held his nerve for a landmark victory.
The 13th seed will face qualifier Andreas Beck in the quarter-finals after the German followed up his second-round victory over Gilles Simon with a 3-6 6-2 7-5 win against Juan Monaco.
Seventh seed Fernando Verdasco served notice of his intent with a hugely impressive 6-2 6-1 victory over 10th seed and fellow Spaniard David Ferrer.
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