Monte Carlo - Roger Federer lost for only the third time in his career to a compatriot, going out to Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 7-5 on Thursday at the Monte Carlo Masters for his earliest clay exit in five years.

Wawrinka played to his own strengths on his favourite surface to leave his second-seeded Davis Cup team-mate and fellow Olympic doubles gold medallist flat-footed in the third-round defeat in one hour, 50 minutes.

Monte Carlo  - Roger Federer failed badly to lift his clay game on a grey day as the three-time finalist went out in the third round to Swiss Davis Cup companion Stanislas Wawrinka 6-4, 7-5 Thursday.

The rain-hit day was a drain on all involved, with matches starting five hours late on the heavy clay.

Federer was well off his game against his good friend, as Wawrinka won for the first time in their series after two ATP defeats.

Monte Carlo  - Rafael Nadal has begin his Monte Carlo Masters title defense without the knee strappings which have become as much a part of his on-court uniform as his headband.

The top seed admitted that it had been months - maybe years - since he last played without the physical and now, surely mental aid. But the whole process is merely an experiment which could end at any time.

Monte Carlo  - Roger Federer and Davis Cup team-mate Stan Wawrinka advanced into a Swiss showdown at the Monte Carlo Masters on Wednesday as Rafael Nadal made a winning start to another clay-court marathon season.

Newly-married second seed Federer had to fight through as Italian Andreas Seppi saved three match points before exiting 6-4, 6-4 to the 13-time Grand Slam champion.

Monte Carlo - Roger Federer and Davis Cup teammate Stanislas Wawrinka advanced into a Swiss showdown in the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters on Wednesday as Federer kick-started his spring clay season.

The newly-married second seed had to fight through as Italian Andreas Seppi saved three match points before exiting 6-4, 6-4 to the 13-time Grand Slam champion.

Number 13 Wawrinka spent more than two and a half hours in his struggle with Argentine Marcello Vassallo Arguello to seize a 2-6, 7-5, 6-2 victory.

Monte Carlo - Fellow ATP players were not a part of the mix as Roger Federer married longtime girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec last weekend in an all-but-secret Basel ceremony. The hometown vows for the Swiss number 2 and his pregnant companion of nine years were kept strictly among friends and family at a location the new groom still won't reveal.