Reuters
Monte Carlo, April 16: Roger Federer was knocked out of the Monte Carlo Masters when he slumped to a 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 defeat by local favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in a quarterfinal match here Friday.
The Swiss third seed, back in action this week after a 10-week layoff, started brightly as he breezed through the opening set but Tsonga, targeting Federer’s forehand, played tighter and levelled with a strong display in the second.
The Frenchman broke in the 11th game of the decider with a passing shot winner and he closed it out on serve on his first match point to set up a meeting with compatriot Gael Monfils, who beat Spain’s Marcel Granollers 6-2, 6-4.
World No.2 Murray raced into last four with a 6-2, 6-0 demolition of Canadian Milos Raonic. Opening proceedings on centre court, the Briton, who struggled in the previous round, was never bothered by 10th seed Raonic in a one-sided match.
Murray, who hit 19 winners and did not face single break point, was beaten twice by Nadal in the semifinals of the first claycourt Masters of the season.
The fifth-seeded Nadal, who broke decisively in the ninth game of the second set, has yet to win a title this year. “It’s exactly what I need, it’s what I’m looking for, it gives me confidence,” Nadal said.
