Early Exit for Federer.

Roger Federer lost to Jurgen Melzer, 6-4, 6-4, in swirling wind in the Monte Carlo Masters quarterfinals Friday, his earliest tournament exit since Wimbledon last year. Federer, who was seeded second in his first clay-court tournament of the year, lost to Melzer for the first time in four matches. It was the first time this year that Federer was beaten by someone other than Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic. Nadal, the six-time defending champion, beat Ivan Ljubicic, 6-1, 6-3, for his 35th straight win at the tournament. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]