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Monte Carlo Masters: Swiss giants Federer, Wawrinka beaten

Last updated on: April 16, 2015 17:40 IST

Stanislas Wawrinka

Defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka and compatriot Roger Federer suffered contrasting third round defeats at the Monte Carlo Masters on Thursday.

Wawrinka suffered an ugly beating at the hands of Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6-1, 6-2 while Gael Monfils got the better of Federer 6-4, 7-6 (5), the latter match being a close contest.

Wawrinka, who beat fellow Swiss Federer in last year's final, put up only token resistance as his game fell apart in a rout on Centre Court.

Dimitrov will face Monfils in the quarter-finals.

Later on Thursday eight-rimes Monte Carlo champion Rafa Nadal takes on American John Isner and world number one Novak Djokovic is up against unseeded Austrian Andreas Haider-Maurer.

Nadal advances 

Earlier, Rafa Nadal returned to one of his favourite hunting grounds to thrash Frenchman Lucas Pouille as his build-up to the French Open began.

The Spaniard, who will be looking for a 10th Roland Garros title next month, enjoyed a 6-2, 6-1 second-round victory.

The world number five, who has ruled in Monte Carlo a record eight times, will next face American 15th seed John Isner in the third round.

Image: Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland reacts during his match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria at the Monte Carlo Masters

Photo: Eric Gaillard/Reuters