Federer stunned in Monte Carlo

LONDON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Roger Federer has to cut short his Monte Carlo Masters journey Thursday when the world number two went down 6-4 7-5 to fellow Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in the third round.

World number three Novak Djokovic managed to seal a 6-1, 6-7, 6-0 win over Spain's Albert Montanes before thunderstorms wiped out most of the day's play including top seed Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray's matches in the Monaco city.

Wawrinka, who teamed up with Federer to take Beijing Olympics doubles title, next faces Andreas Beck for a place in the last four after the German qualifier beat Argentine Juan Monaco 3-6, 6-2, 7-5.

Spain's Fernando Verdasco, seeded seventh, eased past compatriot and 10th seed David Ferrer with a 6-2, 6-1 victory to set up a meeting with Djokovic.

World number four Murray was leading 7-6, 1-0 against Italian qualifier Fabio Fognini while Ecuador's Nicolas Lapentti just had time to win the opening game of his match against Nadal when downpour stopped the action.

Argentine David Nalbandian's encounter with Nikolay Davydenko of Russia and Italian Simone Bolelli's match against Croatian Ivan Ljubicic were also called off.

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Nadal, Federer ease into third round of Monte Carlo Masters

World No. 1 Rafael Nadal reached the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters, although his easy-looking 6-2, 6-3 win masked a rusty performance against Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela yesterday.

The Spaniard, who is gunning for a fifth successive title, a record in the professional era, looked sloppy at times but regained composure when it mattered to wrap up the win after 86 minutes.

Newly-wed Roger Federer, who could face Nadal for a fourth consecutive final at the Monte Carlo Country Club, eased past Italian Andreas Seppi 6-4, 6-4.

The second-seeded Swiss appeared very relaxed on a sunbathed center court, clinching victory on his fourth match point after a final burst from Seppi.

He will next face compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka for a quarterfinal spot after the 13th seed beat Argentine Martin Vassallo Arguello 2-6, 7-5, 6-2.

"I thought I played okay. I had a good stretch at the end of the first set, beginning of the second," Federer told reporters.

"Maybe I could have made it easier for myself in the second. I had some opportunities. He hung in there and I didn't play my best. But still happy I came through so good."

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