Jurgen Melzer handed Roger Federer only his fifth loss of the season as the Austrian came through in a virtual sandstorm with a 6-4, 6-4 quarter-final victory yesterday at the Monte Carlo Masters yesterday
Jurgen Melzer handed Roger Federer only his fifth loss of the season as the Austrian came through in a virtual sandstorm with a 6-4, 6-4 quarter-final victory yesterday at the Monte Carlo Masters yesterday. 
Switzerland's Roger Federer during yesterday's ATP Masters loss against
Austria's Jurgen Melzer in Monaco. Federer lost 4-6, 4-6. Pic/AFP
Federer, a three-time finalist in 2006-2008 against Rafael Nadal, was well off his best form after two superlative previous matches this week in the principality as he began his season on clay.
Nadal in semis
Meanwhile, top seed Rafael Nadal won his 35th consecutive match by crushing Ivan Ljubicic 6-1, 6-3 yesterday to set up a repeat semi-final with resurgent Andy Murray. Murray put out Portugal's Frederico Gil 6-2, 6-1 to reach his second semi-final in the last three tournaments here. Murray said: "Now I'm feeling a lot better. I have to play well if I'm to get a win against Rafa."
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